Vizianagaram District Revenue Officer Ch. Sattibabu has urged individuals from the Scheduled Caste (SCs) to avail government welfare schemes, as they can help them attain financial independence, allowing them to lead a respectable life in society.

He attended as chief guest an awareness programme held on various welfare schemes and Acts meant for SCs organised by the Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union (DBSU) in Vizianagaram on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sattibabu said that the distribution of lands for SCs, financial assistance for development of various crops, skill oriented schemes for youth would benefit the needy. DBSU State general secretary P. Chittibabu said that mandal-level committees would be formed soon to raise awareness among illiterate Dalits about the welfare schemes they could avail from various departments.

He thanked Public Prosecutor Gedela Satyam for clarifying doubts with regard to The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act-1989 which was enacted to protect Dalits from harassment from influential people. Programme coordinator K. Ch. Bangararaju garu, DBSU district secretary M.P. Raju, domestic workers coordinator of Vizianagaram district Korukonda Varalakshmi and others attended.