Bathinda, July 31

A seminar on discrimination on the basis of caste and untouchability was conducted here yesterday under the chairmanship of Mr R. Venkat Ratnam, Deputy Commissioner.

Mr Ratnam said the Constitution of the country had provided equal status to all. The state government had also provided special incentives to the Dalits for their upliftment such as free books up to class X and scholarships for Dalit girls up to class V.

Mr Balkar Singh, Professor, Panjab University, Regional Centre, Muktsar, read a paper on Dalit chetna. A number of other scholars from different institutes also spoke on the occasion.

Mr Ratnam said the Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, had abolished untouchability 300 years ago when he baptised panj piare on Baisakhi.

He said the state government had formulated many policies for the Dalits which included Rs 5100 shagun scheme for Dalit girls at the time of their marriage, 33 per cent reservation in seats for the Dalits in the panchayats and widow and old-age pension, he said.