Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau

In the first, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu raises issue of Siklighar Sikh community's socio-economic condition in Parliament

Sabha Member Satnam Singh Sandhu Raises Issue of the preservation of the legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Parliament  

Babushahi Bureau

Chandigarh, November 28, 2024: Rajya Sabha Member, Satnam Singh Sandhu, has raised the issue of the socio-economic condition of the financially disadvantaged Sikligar Sikh community in the Parliament during the ongoing Winter Session of the House. 

Raising the issue through the unstarred question of the socio-economic condition of Sikligar Sikhs for the first time in the Parliament, Rajya Sabha Member Sandhu asked the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment about the steps taken by the government for economic empowerment of the financially disadvantaged Sikligar community.

He also asked about the programs, educational, and vocational training initiatives being run for the Sikligar community and assessment carried out by the government about the socio-economic condition of Sikligar Sikhs. 

The 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh gave the name "Sikligar" to a community of ironsmiths who made and polished weapons for Sikh army. 

In a written reply to Member of Parliament Sandhu’s question, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, BL Verma on Wednesday (27 November) informed in the Rajya Sabha that the Sikligar community being part of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DNTs) is eligible for the benefits under various schemes of the Union government. These schemes include Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED), which includes free coaching, health insurance, housing and livelihood initiatives. 

The Union Minister said the Department has been implementing Umbrella Scheme of PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI) covering four Centrally sponsored schemes for giving Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships as well as Top Class Education in Schools and Colleges for OBC, EBC and DNT Students. 

Speaking to reporters, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “The Union Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is following the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. This is evident from the steps taken by the government for the welfare of the Sikligar community. The special welfare schemes started by the Modi government for giving financial support to the Sikligar Sikhs is helping the community in preserving their dying art which is now used by them to make traditional Sikh weapons like Kirpan,”.  

He said under the SEED Scheme Rs 200 crore would be spent for the empowerment of DNTs including Sikligar Sikhs over a period of five years starting between 2021-22 to 2025-26. 

“Out of total 4 components of SEED scheme, under the educational empowerment component, Rs 50 Crore has been allocated for giving free coaching for competitive examinations to more than 6,250 students. Similarly, to provide quality medical services to DNTs and Sikligar Sikhs, a health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family is provided under Ayushman Bharat scheme. Around 4.44 lakh families will be covered and funds worth Rs 49 Crore would be used to provide quality medical services to DNTs,” added MP.

Sandhu further said, “Considering the shortage of houses for DNTs, it has been proposed to earmark a separate outlay for PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana) to provide houses for DNTs.  With a financial assistance of Rs 1.20 lakhs in plains and 1.30 lakhs in hilly areas (per unit assistance). Under the central government scheme, approximately 4,200 houses will be constructed with a budget of Rs 50 Crore to take care of housing needs of DNTs and Sikligar Sikhs.”

“To provide hostel facilities to students belonging to DNT communities, under Nanaji Deshmukh scheme, construction of hostels for boys and girls is done and the Union government provides a maximum of 500 seats annually. The cost norm under the scheme is Rs 3 lakh per seat for the hostel and Rs 5,000 per seat for furniture. Moreover, the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme is also available for six DNT students to pursue higher education abroad. Moreover, under PM YASASVI scheme a substantial sum of Rs 193.83 Crores was allocated for the Pre-Matric Scholarship, benefiting 19.86 lakh students during 2023-24. 

Similarly, under the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme, Rs 988.05 Crore was released, benefiting 27.97 lakh students in 2023-24. These scholarships aim to empower underprivileged students by alleviating financial burdens, thereby promoting education across marginalized communities,” added MP Sandhu.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Member, Satnam Singh Sandhu, has also raised the issue of the preservation of the legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. 

Raising the matter in the Upper House through unstarred question, the Rajya Sabha Member Sandhu asked the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat about the steps taken by the Union government to preserve the legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Maharaja Duleep Singh and Sophia Duleep Singh.

He also asked about the steps taken to bring back symbols and artifacts related to the above figures from the United Kingdom.

In a written reply to Sandhu’s question, the Union Minister Shekhawat said two monuments associated with Maharaja Ranjit Singh -- Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Amritsar and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Fort Phillaur, Jalandhar, have been declared monuments of national importance and are under care and maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

He said no such protected monument or heritage site related to Maharaja Duleep Singh and Sophia Duleep Singh is under jurisdiction of ASI.