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Chandigarh, February 9:

Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is working tirelessly for the welfare of all sections of society. Along with this, special efforts are being made to safeguard the rights of the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Backward Class (BC) communities and to ensure their social and economic upliftment. This was stated by Cabinet Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur.

A meeting was held at Punjab Bhawan between Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur and representatives of the SC/BC Union.

During the meeting, the Minister listened carefully to the demands raised by the Union representatives and assured them that all genuine demands would be addressed on priority.

The Minister clarified that issues which can be resolved at the departmental level will be addressed promptly in a time-bound manner. She further stated that matters requiring decisions at the government level will be taken up with the government at the earliest to ensure appropriate resolution.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that to realise Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of a “Rangla Punjab,” it is essential that every section of society becomes an integral part of the development process. She emphasised that the dream of a vibrant Punjab cannot be fulfilled without ensuring dignity,

equal opportunities and justice for the SC and BC communities. “A truly Rangla Punjab will emerge only when there is prosperity in every household, confidence in every mind and equal opportunities for every section of society,” she said.

She reiterated that the Punjab Government is fully committed to the welfare of marginalised and backward sections and is continuously taking concrete and effective steps in this direction. The meeting concluded in a well-organised and positive atmospher.

On the occasion, the meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Mr. V.K. Meena IAS, the Director of the Department, Mrs. Vimmi Bhullar, IAS and other senior officers of the department.

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Chandigarh: Reaffirming the Punjab Government’s commitment to the welfare of marginalized communities, Cabinet Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Dr. Baljit Kaur held a meeting with representatives of the SC/BC Union at Punjab Bhawan. The meeting focused on addressing issues related to the social and economic upliftment of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Backward Class (BC) communities.

Government Committed to SC and BC Welfare

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Punjab Government is working tirelessly for the welfare of all sections of society, with special emphasis on safeguarding the rights of SC and BC communities. She underlined that inclusive development remains a key priority of the Bhagwant Mann-led government.

Read also: Punjab to Open ‘Blue Cross’ Veterinary Medicine Stores Offering Up to 30% Discount for Livestock Farmers

Union Demands Heard and Assurances Given

The Cabinet Minister patiently listened to the demands raised by SC/BC Union representatives and assured them that all genuine demands would be addressed on priority.

She clarified that:

Vision of ‘Rangla Punjab’ Through Inclusive Growth

Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that achieving Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of a “Rangla Punjab” is only possible when every section of society is actively included in the development process.

“A truly Rangla Punjab will emerge only when there is prosperity in every household, confidence in every mind, and equal opportunities for every section of society,” she said.

She added that the dignity, justice, and equal opportunities of SC and BC communities are essential pillars of the state’s development journey.

Concrete Steps for Marginalised Sections

Reiterating the government’s resolve, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Punjab Government is continuously taking concrete and effective steps to ensure the welfare, empowerment, and upliftment of marginalized and backward sections of society.

The meeting concluded in a positive and constructive atmosphere, reflecting mutual cooperation and shared commitment toward inclusive development in Punjab.

Read also: Punjab Strengthens Investment Ties in Mumbai Roadshow, Focuses on Job Creation and MSME Growth

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday thanked the Supreme Court for putting a stay on the new UGC regulations and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never discriminated against anyone. Speaking with ANI, Giriraj Singh said, “I thank everyone, including the country’s Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. I thank the court for the decision it has passed. Prime Minister Modi has never discriminated against anyone in the country. It was Prime Minister Modi who gave reservations to EWS. People like us live only for the people of our country.”BJP RS MP Manan Kumar Mishra also welcomed SC’s decision and assured that the government would resolve the “lacks” in the resolution. “The court’s interference seemed valid with some of the lacks in the Bill. Now the government and the UGC will get a chance. Our Education Minister had already said that there will be no discrimination against anyone… The government will now resolve the lacks,” he said. Sunil Dahiya, president of Vipra Foundation, said, “We respect the Supreme Court’s decision, and the Supreme Court always protects the Constitution. Our opposition is to government policies, including the government’s discriminatory and anti-caste policies. This has been going on for 80 years, against our children. For 80 years, the government has discriminated against us. They have made us criminals. We are not going to stop. We have understood that this country is being destroyed on the basis of caste. We will not let that happen.”Amid an uproar around the country over the alleged “discrimination” against the General Category in the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, the SC on Thursday stayed the regulations.The Top Court said that, for now, the 2012 UGC regulations will continue to apply. The Court opined that there is complete vagueness in Regulation 3 (C) (which defines caste-based discrimination), and it can be misused. “The language needs to be re-modified,” the Court said.The Court noted that this raises an unexamined concern: if a Group A Scheduled Caste individual makes discriminatory or derogatory remarks against a Group B Scheduled Caste individual, has this aspect been adequately addressed under the 2026 framework?After 75 years of trying to make a caste-less society, whether the direction of policy-making is progressive or tending towards a regressive approach, it asked.The new regulations, introduced to curb caste-based discrimination in colleges and universities, require institutions to establish special committees and helplines to address complaints from students in the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backwards Classes (OBC) categories.Students, mostly from the general category, protested against regulations that promote discrimination on campuses rather than equality. The students noted that the regulation has no provision to address fraudulent complaints filed against General Category students

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday orally observed that trade union leaders are largely responsible for stopping industrial growth in the country, and all traditional industries in the country, all because these 'jhanda' unions have been closed.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya said it cannot issue a writ asking the Centre and states to consider amending existing laws.

Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran appeared for the petitioner organisation. Raju also relied on a Supreme Court judgment dated January 29, 2025, where the court had highlighted the plight of domestic workers and noted repeated but unsuccessful legislative attempts to enact a comprehensive law.

Raju said that while some states have notified minimum wages for domestic workers, others have failed to do so, despite the nature of domestic employment remaining uniform across the country

During the hearing, the bench observed that when a minimum wage is enforced, these unions will ensure that every household is dragged into litigation. Raju said in Singapore, you cannot hire a domestic maid unless you register that person and provide weekly offs, wages, etc.

“Sometimes in our anxiety about reforms. In our anxiety to bring a non-discriminatory perspective through legislative means, it leads unwittingly to further exploitation. You fix a minimum wage. Look at the need for employment in this country….demand is far less as compared to the supply….you fix minimum wages, people will refuse to hire and this will further generate hardship”, observed the CJI.

Raju said these are workers’ unions, these are domestic workers’ unions registered under the Trade Union Act.

The CJI said, “How many industries in this country have been closed, thanks to these trade unions? Let us know the reality also”. He added that all traditional industries in this country have been closed because of these jhanda unions, and “they do not want to work, these are all trade union leaders. They are largely responsible for stopping the industrialization growth in this country”.

The CJI said, of course, the exploitation is there undoubtedly, but the means should have been different to stop that exploitation. “People should have been made aware of their individual rights. People should have been made skilled instead of using them as manual labour…”, observed the CJI.

Raju said let us not generalize and talk of larger issues, because collective bargaining is a valuable right.

Responding to the submission regarding collective bargaining, which the petitioners contended could address these concerns, Justice Bagchi noted that domestic workers are already covered under existing welfare frameworks.

“It is not as if there is no safety net. The Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act does take care of several aspects,” he said, while acknowledging that the petitioner’s concerns were “well taken.”

The bench, while acknowledging the “plight” of millions of domestic help across the country, maintained that the judiciary cannot encroach upon the legislative domain to mandate the enactment of laws. The bench also red-flagged the role of employment agencies in the exploitation of workers.

After hearing detailed submissions, the bench refused to entertain a PIL seeking a comprehensive legal framework and enforcement of minimum wages for domestic workers.

The bench, in its order, said, “No enforceable decree or order can be passed unless the legislature is asked to enact a suitable law. Such a direction we are afraid ought not to be issued by this court.”

The bench asked petitioners, including Penn Thozhilalargal Sangam, a domestic workers’ union, to highlight the plight of domestic help to states and the Union to take a suitable decision in the matter.

“We observe that petitioners may continue to highlight the plight of domestic helps and impress upon the stakeholders to take a final call in relation thereto.. and the correspondence shows it is under active consideration by states and we are hopeful that a suitable mechanism shall be deployed for their help and to prevent exploitation,” the bench said while disposing of the PIL.

The petition sought, among other reliefs, recognition of non-payment of minimum wages to domestic workers as a violation of fundamental rights and enforcement of minimum wage regimes across States.

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