Vadodara, Nov 21: The National Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes today expressed satisfaction over the Gujarat government's efforts in the implementation of various governmental measures for the welfare of the neglected SC/ST people of the state. ''We are happy with the state government's steps and the downtrend in cases of atrocities against the SC/ST in Gujarat'', commission member Narayansingh Keshri, in-charge of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattishgarh and Haryana, said.

Talking to newsmen here after a two-day tour of the district to review socio-economic condition of these people and implementation of various welfare schemes meant for them, Keshri said the situation as far as atrocities against backward classes was concerned, was much better in Gujarat compared to the other four states. Referring to the national scenario, Keshri said it was a pity that after more than 50 years of our independence, 29 crores of SC/ST people were still living in abject poverty. The commission in its next annual report to the President while highlighting the plight of these people, would seek special measures to repress their grievances, he added.

Keshri regretted that even as crores of rupees had been spent and a lot of employment opportunities were created by the government over the years, there had been no significant development and progress because of the government's faulty policies particularly with regard to education and health. Bureau Report