Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday called upon the Odisha government to conduct regular reviews of cases involving atrocities against Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Athawale made the remarks during a review meeting with senior state officials on the implementation of various welfare schemes under his ministry.
The Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment welcomed the Odisha government’s recent decision to increase reservation quotas from the current academic year to 22.5% for STs, 16.25% for SCs, and 11.25% for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs).
He expressed satisfaction over the timely financial assistance being provided to victims of atrocities and social discrimination. Athawale also noted that members of SC and ST communities are becoming increasingly aware of their rights.
Officials informed the minister that under the Centre’s inter-caste marriage scheme, eligible couples receive an incentive of Rs 2.5 lakh. As many as 4,958 couples benefited from the scheme during 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Athawale also reviewed welfare measures for persons with disabilities. He was informed that around 90,283 persons with disabilities in Odisha are currently receiving pensions under centrally sponsored schemes.
