Belgaum: Various Dalit organisations have complained to the Inquiry Commission, headed by A.G. Sadashiva, that a majority of Dalits continue to be exploited and deprived of reservation benefits extended by the Union and State Governments.

Mr. Sadashiva was here on Wednesday to listen to grievances of Dalits.

The State Government has appointed the commission to study and ascertain whether Constitution rights granted to the 101 sub-castes (listed in the Central list) within the Scheduled Castes and benefits had reached these sections.

Also, the commission is studying the reasons/factors coming in the way of fair and judicious distribution of benefits to each sub-caste besides exploring possible remedies to correct the problems. The commission is expected to submit its report next year.

Mallesh Chougale, a Dalit leader, drew the attention of the commission to the plight of what he described as "original untouchables" belonging to five castes, Madiga, Dhor, Chamar, Bhangi and Holya.

He said these were the only five castes which could be described as original Dalits. People belonging to these communities continued to remain socially, economically and culturally backward, as other sections listed as Scheduled Castes had enjoyed most of the reservation benefits, he said.

He said "creamy layer" within the Scheduled Castes should be excluded from all reservation benefits so that other deserving persons could benefit. There was no need to provide reservation to children of Dalit legislators, members of Parliament and civil services servants.

He pointed out that reservation benefits were not reaching people living in rural areas but only in urban centres.

Karnataka State Dalit Sangarsh Samithi president Mahadev Myaginmani criticised the district administration and local bodies for not doing justice to Dalit sections.

He said there was corruption in housing schemes meant for dalits. A beneficiary had to spend Rs. 5,000 to get Rs. 20,000 under a housing scheme and it was not possible to construct a house in Rs. 15,000, he said.

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