| NEW DELHI: An Indian federal minister on Thursday proposed a 1,000 US dollar incentive to encourage people to break centuries-old taboos and marry across caste boundaries. The idea put forward by Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar, a member of one of India's many lower castes, was aimed at ending discrimination. "This is not the only way to end the caste discrimination, but one has to start somewhere. I am very keen on this and I have asked all states to get back to me. Let's see," Kumar told NDTV news channel. A senior social justice ministry official, who wanted to remain unnamed, said Kumar's idea was discussed at a meeting of state officials in New Delhi on Thursday. "The aim is to integrate the deprived lower castes into the national mainstream and ensure true social justice," he said. Lower castes who perform chores such as excrement collection make up two-thirds of India's one-billion-plus population. They have faced discrimination in employment, housing and education for centuries from upper caste members, many of whom hold positions of authority in the government and business. |