Ramdas Athawale

August 3, 2026 10:43 AM

No manual scavengers identified in fresh nationwide survey under 2013 law: Govt

A fresh nationwide survey conducted under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013) has not identified any manual scavengers, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Sunday. In a written reply to a question by Derek O'Brien, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, said the survey was conducted across all districts of the country under the provisions of the 2013 Act. The government also said that 89,915...

December 10, 2025 9:58 AM

Centre details DBT-based post-matric scholarship disbursement for SC students

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has outlined the implementation status of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students. The details were shared by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme is implemented through State Governments and Union Territory administrations. Scholarships are transferred directly in...

September 2, 2025 4:56 PM

Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Awards 2025 felicitate meritorious students

Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, on Tuesday organized the Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Awards Ceremony 2025 in New Delhi to honour meritorious Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students who excelled in their Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. Students from 29 State and Central Boards were felicitated for their outstanding academic performance across the two sessions of 2021-22 and 2022-23. A total of 367 students...

July 23, 2025 4:01 PM

Over 2.22 crore SC students benefitted from scholarships in last 5 years: Centre

The Union government on Wednesday informed Parliament that more than 2.22 crore Scheduled Caste students have received scholarships over the past five years under two key central schemes aimed at promoting higher education among disadvantaged communities. In a written reply during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said that 2,22,31,139 SC students benefitted from the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme, while 2...

December 17, 2024 5:48 PM

Over 57,000 sewer and septic tank workers identified under NAMASTE scheme

The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme has profiled over 57,758 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) across India, with 54,574 workers validated so far, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The initiative, launched in the 2023-24 fiscal year, seeks to ensure safety, dignity, and socio-economic empowerment for sanitation workers. It is being implemented across more than 4,800 Urban Local ...

August 8, 2024 6:07 PM

Centre may restore J&K statehood and hold elections by October: Ramdas Athawale

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale indicated on Thursday that the central government might restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before October and conduct legislative assembly elections within the same timeframe. Speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, Athawale highlighted that while the Supreme Court had directed the Election Commission to hold elections by September 30, he anticipated the polls would take place later, coinciding with elections in Maharas...