JAIPUR: Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Tuesday announced 200 Ambedkar e-libraries across Rajasthan’s urban areas and a residential coaching centre at Ambedkar Peeth in Moondla, Jaipur, aimed at expanding educational access for the SC community.Addressing a state-level programme marking the 135th birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar, Sharma said, “The administration is guided by Ambedkar’s ideals of social justice and aims to empower all sections of society socially, economically and politically.”At the event, Sharma transferred Rs 1,363 crore to beneficiaries of pension and Palanhar schemes through direct benefit transfer. He also inaugurated 10 hostel buildings, laid the foundation for 17 others, and virtually opened a library at Jamdoli. An AI-based help desk, ‘Samadhan Saathi’, was also launched.Sharma distributed assistive devices to persons with disabilities and financial aid under the Kanyadaan scheme.Citing progress, he said, “Cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have declined by over 28% in the state. Scholarships worth Rs 292 crore have supported 3.7 lakh SC students, while Rs 534 crore has been disbursed to benefit 3.2 lakh ST students.”Sharma criticised the Congress, alleging it failed to accord due recognition to Ambedkar during his lifetime and delayed conferring the Bharat Ratna, which was awarded in 1990 under a BJP-supported government.Congress also held programmes in Sikar to mark Ambedkar’s anniversary, with workers offering tributes and reading the Preamble.State Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said, “Babasaheb’s Constitution ensured education, equality and strengthened democracy, but today it is being disrespected as elections to panchayat raj and urban bodies are not being held on time.”In a separate statement at the PCC office, former deputy CM, Sachin Pilot said, “The Constitution made by BR Ambedkar has become even more relevant today. It is not enough to merely bow before it. Those in responsible positions must ensure full adherence to the values and principles enshrined in it.”
