Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday announced reservation in promotion for scheduled caste (SC) employees of the state government.

Participating in a state-level function organised at Narwana in the Jind district on the occasion of the 646th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas, the CM said for reservation in promotion to SC employees, quota will be fixed within three months after identifying all the cadres.

Announcing assistance to the families belonging to Scheduled Castes who wish to set up industries, Khattar said now a 20 per cent discount will be given on the purchase of land for setting up small and micro industries. At present a 10 per cent discount is given for the purchase of land for setting up small and micro industries by SCs.

Apart from this, the persons belonging to the SC community will also get additional interest subvention of 20 per cent on the loan taken for doing business, the CM added.

He said that the people of the society should also cooperate in opening a unit of Dr Ambedkar Chamber of Commerce in Haryana as well.

“A Venture Capital Fund would be created to provide financial assistance on behalf of the state government so as to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to the youth belonging to SCs,” the CM announced.

He said that about 32 per cent of children belonging to SCs are getting an education today. This percentage clearly shows that society is certainly moving towards progress. Free coaching will be provided to these children to pursue higher education and prepare for competitive exams, Khattar added.

The CM said in the Union Budget, a provision has been made to open libraries in villages. “We too are laying emphasis on setting up libraries in villages. The villages from where a demand to open libraries would be raised, the same would be fulfilled at the earliest,” he added.

Khattar said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central government has launched Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to provide a roof over the heads of every underprivileged and needy.

“So far, 55,000 families have been given houses under this scheme in Haryana. Now the state government is conducting surveys of families with annual income up to Rs 1.80 lakh. Complete assistance will be given to all such families to construct houses,” he added.