‘Bhim Sansad’ to ‘Bhim Mahakumbh’: Eye on Bihar polls, Nitish doubles down on Dalit outreach
JD(U) Dalit Outreach Ahead of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025
Key Points:
- Event & Initiative:
- Bhim Sansad (Nov–Dec 2024) and Bhim Samvad (April 13, 2025, Patna) to connect with Dalit communities.
- Ambedkar Samagra Yojana announced on Ambedkar Jayanti to benefit 40 lakh Dalit families over 100 days with about a dozen welfare schemes.
- Government Schemes for Dalits:
- Financial aid: ₹50,000 for BPSC prelims qualifiers, ₹1 lakh for UPSC prelims qualifiers.
- Appointment of Vikas Mitras (₹9,000/month) to liaise with SC communities.
- Business grants: ₹10 lakh (50% grant included).
- Scholarships for students in 91 Ambedkar residential schools.
- Political Context:
- Dalits = 19.65% of Bihar population; JD(U) aims to regain lost ground after falling from 71 seats in 2015 → 43 seats in 2020.
- Upcoming Bhim Mahakumbh to further highlight Dalit-focused government actions.
- Other Dalit leaders: Ashok Kumar Choudhary (MLC), Arun Manjhi, Sunil Kumar, Ratnesh Sada.
- Budgetary Allocation (2025–26):
- Rs 1,935 crore for SC/ST Welfare Department.
- Rs 550 crore for Mahadalit Vikas Mission Scheme.
Updated: April 17, 2025 03:33 AM | Indian Express
Bhim Sansad Bhim Samvad Ambedkar Samagra Yojana Dalit outreach SC welfare schemes Financial aid for BPSC & UPSC qualifiers Vikas Mitras (₹9 000/month) Business grant for SC entrepreneurs (₹10 lakh 50% grant) Scholarships for Ambedkar residential schools (91 schools) JD(U) electoral strategy Bihar Assembly elections 2025 Dalit population in Bihar (19.65%) Mahadalit Vikas Mission Scheme (₹550 crore) SC/ST Welfare Department budget (₹1 935 crore) Bhim Mahakumbh Nitish Kumar Ashok Kumar Choudhary Arun Manjhi Sunil Kumar Ratnesh Sada Decline in JD(U) seats (2015: 71 → 2020: 43)