The Hindu : Other States / Rajasthan News : CM `inaccessible', Dalit leaders knock at Governor's door

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Wednesday, Jul 13, 2005

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CM `inaccessible', Dalit leaders knock at Governor's door

Special Correspondent

Demand just share in State's resources, implementation of the special laws

JAIPUR: Disappointed with "inaccessibility" of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Dalit leaders of Rajasthan on Tuesday met the Governor, Pratibha Patil, demanding measures for ensuring rightful share of Dalits and tribals in the State's land, water, wealth and resources, and called for effective implementation of the special laws for their protection.

A delegation of half-a-dozen Dalit leaders urged Ms. Patil to impress upon the State Government the need to impart justice to Dalits by ensuring to them equitable access to the means of livelihood and implement the land reforms and ceiling laws.

They demanded the establishment of a Land Tribunal for allotting land to Scheduled Castes and Tribes and providing inputs of seeds, fertiliser and irrigation facilities. The delegation affirmed that special courts, special public prosecutors and vigilance and monitoring committees should be appointed in all districts without delay for full and effective implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and measures taken to prevent violence against Dalit women in the villages.

A memorandum submitted by the delegation to the Governor pointed out that a substantial portion of the cultivable Government land in the State had been illegally encroached upon by the powerful feudal lords, politicians and bureaucrats belonging to dominant castes. It said the land should be taken over by the Government by enacting a special law and distributed to the landless rural population.

Govt. indifferent

The Dalit leaders accused the State Government of being indifferent to untouchability still being practised in the name of culture and tradition and demanded that an official campaign be launched against the practice on a massive scale. They also said that all budgetary allocations meant for weaker sections should be fully and properly utilised for the same purpose. The memorandum made a special mention of the shortfall in extending the benefits of affirmative action to those belonging to SC and ST and stated that the reservation policy should be implemented in both recruitment and promotions effectively. It said the reserved vacancies in the lower judiciary in the State should be filled up without delay.

The delegation comprised the Chairperson of the Centre for Dalit Rights, P.L. Mimroth, State convenor of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights and former MP, Than Singh.

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