The Lok Sabha today passed the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment),Bill,2017. The bill seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Castes in the State of Odisha. <br/><br/>It also seeks to amend the Constitution (Pondicherry) Scheduled Castes Order, 1964 to change name of the Union Territory from Pondicherry to Puducherry in the Order. Replying to a debate on the bill, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot said, the NDA government has taken various steps in the last three years for the welfare and upliftment of the people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. <br/><br/>He said that the government has adopted approach of equality, coordination and dialogue to ensure social harmony. He said, the laws relating to check atrocities against dalits have in fact been made stringent. He also accused the Congress of ignoring the interest and welfare of weaker sections of the society and said it only treated them as a vote bank. <br/><br/>He also rejected the allegations of opposition of reducing sub-SCs sub-plan budget. He said, in the budget of 2017-18, the sub-plan amount has been increased three fold to over 52 thousand crore rupees which is more than budget allocated in UPA regime. Mr Gehlot also said, the BJP led government is in support of current system of reservation and it will continue.<br/> ' <br/>Earlier, initiating the discussion, Mallikarjun Kharge of Congress stressed on the need for inclusion of only those communities who are deprived and disadvantaged. He said, there is a need to bring educational, social and economic equality in the society. <br/><br/>Kirit Solanki of BJP said, the Narendra Modi led government is following the vision of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. He said, the thoughts of Babasaheb is still relevant for the development of the country . He said, the government has also launched a BHIM App to promote digital transaction in the country.

The Lok Sabha has taken up the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment), Bill 2017 for discussion post-lunch. The bill seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Castes in the State of Odisha. <br/><br/>It also seeks to amend the Constitution (Pondicherry) Scheduled Castes Order, 1964 to change name of the Union Territory from Pondicherry to Puducherry in the Order. Speaking on the bill, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot said, the bill has been brought after following all the norms. <br/><br/>Initiating the discussion, Mallikarjun Kharge of Congress stressed on the need for inclusion of only those communities who are deprived and disadvantaged. He said, there is a need to bring educational, social and economic equality in the society. <br/><br/>Kirit Solanki of BJP said, the Narendra Modi led government is following the vision of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. He said, the thoughts of Babasaheb is still relevant of the development of the country . He said, the government has also launched a BHIM App to promote digital transaction in the country.