Bhan sticks to his guns, says he'll continue Dalit agenda

Bhan sticks to his guns, says he'll continue Dalit agenda
AMIT SHARMA

LUCKNOW, NOV 22: Despite being shunted from Uttar Pradesh -- reportedly for his pro-Dalit agenda and controversial decisions in connection with granting of recognition to some institutes -- outgoing Governor Suraj Bhan has decided not to call off his crusade. ``I will continue to raise the issues through the Committee of Governors,'' said Bhan.

He leaves for his new assignment as Governor of Himanchal Pradesh on Thursday. The Raj Bhavan here has been embroiled in controversy during the last days of his tenure, in which, it was alleged, that he had granted recognition to a number of homoeopathic, ayurvedic and other institutes with record haste, upsetting the state government in the process.

``I had allowed recognition to nearly 11 homoeopathic and ayurvedic institutes which were being run by the government itself but due status had been denied to them for the past 13 years. The decision was taken in the larger interest of the students and teachers,'' Bhan maintained.

``I had imposed fines ranging from Rs 1 to 5 lakh on at least 56 institutes for anomalies and finally most of them improved their working on the desired lines. The academic session of universities have been regularised and hostels have been freed from students who had been living there for years in defiance of norms,'' he added.

Continuing his Dalit agenda, Bhan demanded that the Committee of Governors go in for a review of real benefits being given to the classes covered under reservations through a reputed agency and ensure that there be an honest implementation of schemes meant for them. ``After these two steps, the reservation which has been extended by 10 years should be withdrawn and economic status, not caste, should be made the basis for special treatment,'' he reiterated.