Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday asserted that nobody on earth had the power to take back reservation provided to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) and vowed that he was ready to make any sacrifice if anybody attempted to do so.

"When it comes to the rights of people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, nobody can take them away. Nobody on this earth has the power to take back reservation provided to them (SC and ST). If anybody tries this, we are ready to give whatever sacrifice is needed," Nitish said.

Nitish said he believed in working with a positive mindset as opposed to "some people who are habituated to talking negative things" and pointed out that the central government was going to bring an ordinance against the Supreme Court order on SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Nitish was speaking at a function to mark the launch of Mukhyamantri Anusuchit Jati and Anusuchit Janjati Udyami Yojana, a scheme to foster entrepreneurship among SC and ST youths under which the state government will provide Rs 10 lakh, give training to help them establish various enterprises. Half the amount will be provided as grant, while the rest would be interest-free loan.

Various ministers of the state cabinet and a few legislators, especially those belonging to the Dalit community, were present on the occasion.

Nitish's words assume significance in the backdrop of the simmering antagonism among the Dalits towards the NDA government at the Centre as well as in the states after various incidents of atrocities and suicides spread over the past three years, including the SC order that modified a few provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in March this year, while the Centre maintained silence over the issue for quite some time.

The various Dalit groups had staged severe protests across the country, while Opposition parties, including the Congress and various regional parties, took advantage of the situation to put the ruling NDA dispensation at the Centre and in the states on the mat by asserting that NDA wanted to end reservation.

The NDA of which Nitish's JDU is also a part is in damage-control mode now, and is trying to assuage the feelings of the people belonging to the Dalit and tribal communities by spelling out clear-cut stand on various issues.

Just a couple of days ago, the BJP-led government at the Centre approved a bill to restore key provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act that were struck down by the apex court.

Speaking on the occasion, Nitish also asserted that unlike others, he believed in working for the welfare of the weaker sections of the society instead of just talking about it.

"Many people have the habit of making announcements about something. Then, they keep repeating that they are going to do this. However, I believe that just talking doesn't bring any rights. We have to take all necessary steps for it and initiate positive steps for it," Nitish said.

The chief minister added that the government will launch several more schemes for SC and ST welfare very soon.