Budget 2011-12 

Once again UPA Denies SCs Rs.Cr. 24,570 in Scheduled caste Plan and STs Rs.Cr. 10530 in Tribal Sub Plan

Together for SCs & STs, allocates only 4.03% for in both Plan and Non-plan budgets

The Demands for Separate budget head for SCs and STs realized

The SC/ST employees welfare Assn of Departments of Coal, Road transport and highways, Railways, Power, Space, Civil Aviation, Home, Petroleum and Chemicals should constitute a committee consisting of officers from SC/STs to examine and suggest ways and means through which the department allocate fund for the economic upliftment of SC/STs and ensure that the concerned department to demand for funds at least in their next budget-2012-2013.

In the budget that has been presented today, the expenditure for both SCs and STs in Plan and Non-plan budgets is a mere 4.03% of the total budget. For a population of 24.4% of the total country this is a mere lip-service and shows no real policy concern for the development of the vulnerable sections of the society.

Once again the allocations for Scheduled Castes Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan in the Union budget have a huge gap. The union budget as allocated Rs.Cr. 30551 to the SC development and Rs.Cr. 17,371 to ST development. It is 8.98% of the total plan out lay for SCs and 5.11% to STs. There is a gap of Rs. Cr.24,570 in SCP and RS.Cr. 10,530 for TSP. There is an increase of Rs.Cr.9,927 for SCs and Rs.Cr.5,625 for STs from last years allocation.

The Finance Minister in the Budget speech confirmed that this year the much demanded budget code for SCP 789 and TSP 796 has been opened which enables not only for clear allocations but makes them trackable.

	Amount in Rs. Cr.
Particulars	10-11 (BE)	11-12 (BE)
Total Budget	1108749	12577282
Total Plan Expenditure	373092	441547
Transfer  to State and UT	88808	101292
Available Plan outlay with Central Min/Dept	284284	340255
DUE SCP (16.2%)	46054	55121
SCP Allocation	20624	30551
% Allocated as per Plan Outlay	7.25%	8.98%
Denied to SCs	25430	24570
DUE Tribal Sub Plan (8.2%)	23311	27900
TSP Allocation	11746	17371
% Allocated as per Plan Outlay	4.13	5.11
Denied to STs	11,565	10530

It is unfortunate that only 24 departments have allocated for SCs and for STs 26 departments. While all the departments must allocate the funds for development mainly the growth sector departments claim they are unable to allocate the money.

The economic growth departments that have not allocated are Departments of Coal, Road transport and highways, Railways, Power, Space, Civil Aviation, Home, Petroleum and Chemicals etc. This shows that most of these finances are allocated for social services and very little for economic services which means that real development does not take place in the case of SCs and STs. They are not present in the growth sectors of the economy and are mere service providers for the rest of the society. This maintains the age old caste system which makes SCs and STs only to be subservient to the rest of the society. Is Union Government maintaining this through their budget allocations? 

Though the Statement 21 and 21 A shows allocations made to SCP and TSP, in the past years thease allocations do not correspond to the Detailed Demand for Grants indicating that these funds are not allocated in terms of actuals within the Department Budgets.

It is therefore not surprising that the Human Development Index for India is 119 out of 169 countries below the countries like Sri Lanka.

Source: [ZESTCaste] Dr.Ambedkar and hispeople.org- National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights Dalit Arthik Adhikar Andolan- Press Release

National Commission for SC to recommend All-Dalit Police Stations
In order to ensure speedy justice for Dalits facing discrimination on a large-scale, there was a need to have ‘All-Dalit Police Stations' on the lines of all-woman police stations to solely deal with cases of atrocities against the Scheduled Castes, said Latha Priyakumar, Member, National Commission for Scheduled Castes.


Recommendation

Talking to The Hindu here on Wednesday, Ms. Priyakumar said the Commission would make a recommendation to the State Government to have all-Dalit stations in every district and fast track courts.

Dissatisfaction
She also expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which the State Government had been dealing with issues affecting the Dalits. On the lack of adequate facilities at the Government Adi Dravidar welfare hostels, she said infrastructure needed to be improved. Ms. Priyakumar would meet various organisations and victims of atrocities and also have discussions with the Collector and officials of various departments in Madurai.
Source: The Hindu dated 27.02.2011

 Karunanidhi writes to Manmohan Singh

to extend reservation for dalit christian .  The National Commission for SC in its affidavit filed  before the supreme court( which examining extending of  reservation converted SCs) sought separate reservation for converted SC in a separate quota.

     The Dravidian rulers increased the reservation percentage for BCs  many times, out of total reservation  69 percentage 51% earmarked  for backward communities   ,but the percentage of reservation for SCs  is  still remains 18% irrespective of their increase of population. Instead of asking separate reservation for converted SC/STs like National commission .
The DMK Govt wants to dilute the reservation for SC/STs by asking the Central govt to include the  converted SCs to the existing quota without asking for increase in the percentage as per the latest census.  The DMK Govt wants to remove the dalit christian from 27% OBC quota to 18% SC quota .  Good calculation?

The Hindu daily wrongly reports  that Dalit christian accorded BC status by central Govt, as per the central list of OBC the dalit christian given the status of OBC.  Please see the serial No 22 in the list published National commission for OBC website, visit the following link. http://www.ncbc.nic.in/backward-classes/index.html

The Govt of Tamil Nadu (Dravidian Govt ) is accorded SC converted christian   only BC status Not MBC status ( Social justice means  only for BCs  not for SC/STs)

    
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Friday reiterated the State government's request for according the status of Scheduled Castes (SC) to those SCs who have converted to Christianity.

In his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Chief Minister Mr Karunanidhi sought Dr. Singh's personal intervention for including such people in the list of SCs at the earliest through an Act of Parliament.

Recalling that he had been taking up the matter with the Centre since October 1996, Mr Karunanidhi said no formal order till now had been received from the Union government. He recounted how the law was amended twice to include those professing Buddhism and Sikhism in the list of SCs. The State government felt that members of the castes listed in the Schedule (Scheduled Castes) had suffered social and economic discrimination, irrespective of their religion. His government was committed to extending all concessions, meant for SCs, to members of the SCs who were following other religions. The Chief Minister referred to the discussion that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Dr Singh, had on the subject on Monday. Calling for the deletion of paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Modification Order, he said this would mean that those castes listed in the Schedule would be regarded as SCs, irrespective of religion. At present Christian converts among scheduled castes are accorded only backward class status.
Source: The Hindu dt 26.02.2011

HC suspects foul play in dalit’s death


Rejects Cops’ Claim That Youth Who Married Upper Caste Girl Died In Mishap
“Are we living in a civilised society? There is definitely a foul play (in the death of a Dalit youth)”.

This was the observation of a division bench of the Madras high court, which disbelieved the police story that the youth, who had married a caste Hindu girl, was fatally knocked down by a speeding vehicle while escaping from police custody.
The bench comprising Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Justice N Kirubakaran also asked the state police and the superintendent of police of Tirunelveli to take action based on an affidavit filed by M Ranjani, mother of the deceased Vinoth Kumar, and submit a report in court. The bench then adjourned the matter to March 1 for further hearing.

According to Ranjani, Vinoth was arrested by the Puzhal police on August 10, 2010 after he eloped with a minor girl. He came out on bail on August 29. In December 2010, he was picked up by the police, and she approached the Madras high court on January 11, 2011.

On January 14, she received a call from Thisayanvilai police in Tirunelveli district, stating that Vinoth had died while trying to escape from police. Though a postmortem had already been conducted, as per court orders another postmortem was conducted on January 23 here.
On Friday, concurring with the arguments of her counsel P Vijendran, the judges wondered whether it was possible to have a fair probe in the matter at all. They also said the police force was trying only to safeguard the interests of ‘certain persons’, and added: “This (the suspicious death) was not possible without the collusion of the police.” They also wanted the police to arrest a third person named in the new affidavit filed in the court, and felt that even the magistrate who remanded Vinoth Kumar was biased.

On Friday, advocate G Saravana Kumar also filed a sworn affidavit, stating that the evidence he had collected indicated that the youth was murdered by a person hired by the girl’s father. He claimed that deputy superintendent of police-level officials, the girl’s family members and the hired killer were all involved in the death.
Source: The Times of india dated 26.02.2011

Dalit burnt alive after his son elopes with girl

இந்தியவில் சாதி   இந்துக்கள் மட்டும் SC/ST மக்களை வன்கொடுமைக்கு உட்படுத்தப்படவில்லை, மாறாக இந்துமத அதர்மத்தை உள்வாங்கிய மற்ற மதங்களும் (the times of India news dated 27.02.2011 இச்செய்திக்கு அடியில் தரப்பட்டுள்ளதை படிக்கவும் )இம்மக்களை துன்புறுத்துகிறார்கள்.  இந்துமத சனாதன வாதிகள்  SC/ST மக்கள் இந்துக்கள் என்று பிரகடன படித்திகொண்டு அவர்களை சேரி என்னும் சிறையில் வைத்துவிட்டு மற்றமததினரை ஊருக்குள் வைத்து கொண்டனர்   ,இதை உணராத இம்மக்கள் இன்றுவரை இந்துமத சிறையில் சாதி மற்றும் மத வன்கொடுமையை அனுபவித்து வருகின்றனர்.

 

A 61-year-old dalit man was burnt to death in Periyapatti village of Namakkal district after his son eloped with a Muslim girl of the same village.

Nallayan’s son Sekhar (27) was in love with Gilzar (21) and couple allegedly eloped recently. At 3pm on Monday, when Nallayan was working in a shop in Periyapatti, Gulzar’s father Shahjahan went there and called out to him. An argument ensued, followed by a scuffle during which Shahjahan allegedly poured petrol over Nallayan. He then lit his cigarette lighter, setting fire to Nallayan who suffered serious burn injuries.

Although he was admitted to the Namakkal government hospital, Nallayan died later, police said. Nallayan’s daughter Shanthi said Shahjahan and his relatives had threatened her family members soon after Sekar eloped with Gulzar. Nallayan had pleaded with Shahjahan to give him two days to search for his son. But he was killed before he could even begin the search, Shanthi said. She said the police should give protection for her family members because Shajahan and his family members were influential in the region.

Namakkal sub-inspector Lakshmana Kumar told TOI that Shajahan has been arrested and booked for murder as well as under the Prevention of Atrocities Act. “Preliminary investigations point towards a family feud. The investigation is on,” said Lakshmana Kumar.

“Of late, atrocities against dalits by non-dalits are on the rise in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Even though the issue was raised by many, no action has been taken so far in many cases,” said K Muthuvel, a dalit activist from Namakkal.

Human rights activist A Kathir, who heads NGO Evidence, has demanded that the government give jobs for Nallayan’s family members and a compensation of Rs 10 lakh.

Source: The Times of India dated 23.02.௨௦௧௧

PATRON GOD

THE MANY SHADES OF SHIVA

Sunday Times focuses on one of the most popular deities in the Hindu pantheon to unravel different facets of his appeal

Atul Sethi | TNN 

Mahashivaratri, three days from now, will be a special day for Umer Farukh. He will celebrate the festival through the night, by reciting ballads and songs in praise of Shiva. Farukh belongs to the community of Muslim jogis, spread across the historical region of Mewat, which comprises parts of Haryana and Rajasthan. They are Muslim, but the jogis worship Shiva and other Hindu gods such as Hanuman. “We consider Hanuman as our elder brother and Shiva as our patron deity,” says Farukh.
   What is it that has made this Mewati community — comprising more than 10,000 families — embrace Hindu gods as their own? The answer lies in the community’s origins. The jogis trace their lineage to the legendary guru Gorakhnath. Ismail Khan, a wandering minstrel from Bengal — and a follower of the Nath sect — is believed to have started the lineage. “Our community is also called Ismail-panthi, after him,” says Farukh.
   In keeping with their lineage, the traditional role of the jogis is that of wandering minstrels — who survive on alms received for their singing. They also sing and perform at the homes of their patrons — known as jajman, who are traditionally from the Meo community. PK Mohanty, author of the “Encyclopaedia of Scheduled Tribes in India”, describes the Meos as a “highly Hinduised Muslim community, who believe they are direct descendants of Krishna and Rama, even as they claim to be among the unnamed prophets of God referred to in the Holy Quran.”
   The jogis, who are also referred to as Mirasis, perform for their jajmans on occasions like marriage or aqeeqah — the naming ceremony of a child. “Depending on the lineage of the jajman, the jogis perform different compositions,” says Kuldeep Kothari of the Jodhpur-based Rupayan Sansthan, which is working towards preserving their compositions. If the Meo patron is a Tomar Muslim, who traces his ancestry to the Pandavas, the jogis sing the “Pandun ka kara”; for Yaduvanshis, it is “Krishna leela” and for Raghuvanshis, it is “Lanka chadhai” (Ramayana). “These compositions are quite unique, since they are based on Hindu mythology, but composed and performed by Muslim performers for a Muslim audience,” adds Kothari.
   The uniqueness extends to the way the compositions are sung, often accompanied by traditional instruments like jogia sarangi and bhapang — a characteristic, one-stringed instrument reminiscent of Shiva’s damru. Since Shiva is a favourite of the community, songs in his praise form a bulk of the jogis’ repertoire, with “Shivji ka byavla” (Shiva’s wedding) being a popular theme. “The compositions are often in the shringar rasa, which describes beauty, and vir rasa that celebrates heroism,”says Kothari. The performances
are often lilting. In his
book, Mohanty gives a description:
   “The Meo version of the Mahabharat called the “Pandun ka kara” is performed by Mirasis or jogis to an audience comprised of Meo Muslims…the Mirasis are dressed in flowing white kurtas and dhotis and bright crimson turbans. They play a musical rendering of the epic after a brief ode in praise of the Prophet Muhammad, and the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer. The entire epic in its Meo form, rendered in the Mewati dialect, consists of some 800 verses or ‘dohas’ and takes more than three hours to recite. It relates the story of the Pandavas, whom it describes as their ancestors, ending with verses in praise of its composer, Sadullah Khan, an 18th century composer. “Pandun ka kara” is the only Muslim form of Mahabharat that exists. Today, barring a few Mirasis, no one else can recite it.”
However, times are now changing for the community. “There are not many avenues open for performers nowadays. Patronage from jajmans is dwindling,” says Farukh. Many in the community are either illiterate or semi-literate and prefer taking up low-paying jobs as labourers or rickshaw-pullers rather than follow their traditional profession. “We are working against odds to save our lineage,” admits Farukh, who has started a Trust to save the bhapang — the instrument his family specializes in.
On Mahashivaratri, as the bhapang and other instruments are played and songs sung from the Shiv-leela, the jogis may also be sending out a silent prayer to their patron deity to take care of their future.

Source: The Times of India dt 27.02.2011

VCK demands 15 seats, begins talks with DMK

The DMK on Monday started its preliminary seatsharing talks with Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK), a party with a strong dalit base. However, sources close to the DMK said they were yet to discuss the number of seats. “We have discussed the new formula for the upcoming assembly elections. The DMK has already stated that it’s ready to share 22 seats with the VCK, Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam (KMK) and other small parties, which means the seats the DMK front had shared with the Left parties in the 2006 elections will be shared with small parties this time,” said a senior VCK leader.

VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan said the meeting was a cordial one. “We will get a clear picture in a couple of days,” he said, adding that the DMK-PMK-VCK alliance will win more seats in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu. VCK assembly leader D Ravikumar said they were expecting 15 seats in the DMK front, adding that the DMK had given two seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha election and the party won one seat.

Although the DMK offered 60 seats to the Congress, sources said the party was not happy with it, and talks are going on from both sides to form a strong alliance. “If they (Congress) agree with DMK’s stand then only the party will start its seat-sharing talks with the VCK and other small parties,” said sources.

However, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, after meeting chief minister M Karunanidhi at his Gopalapuram residence to invite him for a family wedding, on Monday said the PMK-VCK would work together for DMK-led front’s victory.

Hoping that Karunanidhi will come back to power again, he said, “The DMK chief will continue as chief minister for the sixth time too. The PMK has given assurance to the DMK that their alliance will win 110 seats in northern districts of Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Source: The Times of India dt 22.02.2011

Corrupt babus under lens, govt to identify graft-prone departments

Corruption to be included as a key indicator in the performance management evaluation of the various ministires. 
Our views
Govt should consider to incorporate SC/ST reservation and welfare measure in the RFD as key indicator to assess the performance of each ministires and department towards SC/ST welfare.

Hard pressed to demonstrate actionable steps on tackling corruption in the wake of recent scams,theUPAgovernmenthas initiated a series of steps to clean up the bureaucracy .

The government has decided toincludecorruptionasakeyindicator in the performance management evaluation of the various ministries that was put in place last year. Moreover, Cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar, who heads a committee of secretaries constituted to look into complaints against senior bureaucrats, has decided to hold weekly meetings for disposalof pendingcases.

The committee, set up last year,comprisessecretariestothe PrimeMinister,theCentralVigilance Commissioner, DoPT, and Secretary (Coordination) in the Cabinet Secretariat. Chandrasekhar was learnt to have written to the concerned ministries seeking clarifications on complaintsagainstbureaucrats.

"Thereareabout20to30cases pending against Secretaries in different ministries. We have decided to hold weekly meetings to dispose of them. Many of these complainants are anonymous andmanyatimechargesarefrivolous. But whenever we have found serious complaints, we have forwarded them to the CVC," said a top bureaucrat who isapartof thiscommittee.

Sources said the complaints against secretaries range from "serioustobanal".Forinstance, there is a complaint against a former Secretary in the ministry of road transport & highways that the NHAI had to pay Rs 27 lakh for his eight-day stay in a five-star hotel. Another high-profileSecretaryfacesalle gation of "rude behaviour".

"Itcouldbeverydemoralising for a senior officer if harassed withfrivolouscomplaints.So,we disposeof suchcasesatourlevel.

But, whenever there is something serious, we treat it with equal seriousness," said a memberof thecommittee.

According to senior officials in the Cabinet Secretariat, ministries will also be asked to identify specific areas in government departments that are potential breeding grounds for corruption. These indicators are to be included in the Results Framework Document (RFDs) that each ministry has to submit to measure their performance levels at the end of the year.

The review mechanism, that sets performance targets for individual ministries, was implemented last year with RFDs being signed between the minister and the secretary in 62 ministries.Theonlyexceptionswere the ministries of home, finance, defence, MEA and PMO besides theplanningcommission.
Source: The financial Express dated 21.02.2011

India Inc slams making CSR spend mandatory
Our views

Indian corporate companies continuously denying reservation for SC/ST opposing by parliamentary bill.   Now they want stall the parliamentary bill on CSR .  Govt should consider to made it mandatory apportionment of CSR fund according to the population of SC/ST.

Attempts by corporate affairs minister Murli Deora to make corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending mandatory in the new Companies Bill has come in for sharp criticism. While accepting the significance of CSRactivities,leadingmembers of India Inc said that any attempt to make it mandatory would be a "retrograde" step.


Rahul Bajaj, chairman of Bajaj Auto and an industrialist vocal on policy issues, said that since corporate houses were already engaged in various CSR initiatives, there was no case for making it mandatory . "I have spoken to Murli Deora (corporate affairs minister) on the issue. Since CSR spending is a question of conscience, there is no case for making it mandatory ," Bajaj said.



Healsodismissedthegovernment's view that the industry was divided on the matter. "No responsible industrialist can ask for making it mandatory ," he said.

Bajaj also said that since therewasnoacceptabledefinition for CSR, the move is not in the right direction.



Agrees Tata Communications chairman Subodh Bhargava when he says that since CSR spending was entirely a corporate entity's personal choice, no legislation was needed. Bhargava said that if the government finally decides to make the clause mandatory, then it could also lead to manipulation. "If a company's intent is not to invest in CSR, then no law in land could change that," he said.



Maruti Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava said that distribution of net profit should be decided by shareholders and not the government.Hequestionedthegov ernment'sabilitytomonitor how companies were spending on CSR and what constitutes CSR. "The issue really is on the practical side of makingtheproposalmandatory. Today, the government wants to pass a law on how companies should distribute profits. Tomorrow, it may be on something else.

How does the story end?" On Thursday, corporate affairs minister Deora had said that he was "personally" in favour of making it mandatory for companies to set aside 2% of their net profits on CSR activities.

His deputy in the ministry RPN Singh had also said that the government was trying to reach a consensus on the issue.
Moser Baer chairman Deepak Puri said that while he was a supporter of CSR, any move to make the proposal mandatory would be counterproductive. "Within Moser Baer, the board of directors have approved CSR investments of up to 1%.

While CSR is a necessity, it should not be thrust upon companies. That's not right," Puri said. Senior corporate lawyer Lalit Bhasin termed the government's proposal as a retrograde step. He argued that industry was within its rights to oppose the move.

"There has to be a legal basis for implementing such a move. Let the proposal be voluntary; otherwise, companies can misuse it by finding a way around the law," Bhasin said.

An industry leader who did not wish to be named said that the government's stand on the issue would take India back to the licence raj. "The government should not dictate how companies are going to plan out their expenditure. If the proposal does become law, then it would be unfortunate," he said. The issue first came to light when the parliamentary standing committee on finance headed by senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha proposed mandatory implementation of CSR spending. The committee argued that companies which have a net worth of Rs 500 crore or more, or turnover of Rs 1,000 crore should set aside 2% of their average net profits for the last three financial years for CSR. Sinha told FE that the proposal had the support of the ministry of corporate affairs as well. "Every company must spend 2% of their profits on CSR. We are trying to employ social responsibility for the corporate sector. If voluntary action has not worked, then it has to become mandatory," he said.
Source: The Financial Express dated 20.02.2011

 Miffed PT asks AIADMK to allot at least 9 seats
 Krishnasamy hopes Jayalalithaa will consider demand
“Poor allocation dashed the spirit of office-bearers”
“Party needs at least nine seats to get EC recognition”

Expressing unhappiness over allocation of two Assembly seats, Puthiya Tamizhagam leader K. Krishnasamy has requested AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa to allot at least nine seats to his party.

Talking to reporters after the district secretaries' meeting of the party, Dr. Krishnasamy the said the poor allocation had dashed the spirit of office-bearers and would reflect during election work.

He said the party needed at least nine seats to get the recognition of the Election Commission and galvanise cadres.

Asked why he accepted two seats in the first place, Dr. Krishnasamy said that he did not want to react negatively at that time since the PT was the first to sign an agreement with the AIADMK.

“Moreover Ms. Jayalalithaa said more parties, including the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), will join the alliance and she needed seats for those parties. Since the PMK has joined the DMK alliance she can consider our case,” he said.

Dr. Krishnasamy said he had also written to Ms Jayalalithaa seeking more seats. The PT had submitted a list of 24 constituencies to the AIADMK leadership.

He said that a 15-member committee had been constituted to hold talks with the seat-sharing committee of the AIADMK. He also has decided to meet Ms Jayalalithaa to request more seats.

Asked what would be his stand if she refused to allot more seats, he said, “I hope she will consider our reasonable demand.”

Source: The Hindu Dt 20.02.2011

 Dalits pay the price for their political assertion
 Recent violence against them shows a pattern with economically stable households being the primary targets

In scores of cases, upliftment/empowerment and political assertion by Dalits have resulted in a simultaneous increase in their oppression by caste Hindus and dominant castes. The mindless violence unleashed upon Dalit households on Sunday in Paralipudur village in Dindigul district is one such case.

Paralipudur has a predominant population of Mutharaiyars (also called Muthurajas and Valaiyars) and almost all nearby villages — Kodangipatti, Vemparali, Kadavur, Lingapatti, Vathipatti and Kavarapatti — are populated by them with the Dalits a minority in this belt.

The immediate cause of the attack was a confrontation between Paraiyars (sect of Dalits) and Mutharaiyars over hoisting of flags on an overhead water tank. Youth belonging to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi had pasted posters bearing images of B.R. Ambedkar and Thol. Thirumavalavan and hoisted a flag atop the tank after a wedding ceremony. This invited the wrath of the Mutharaiyars, who hoisted their association flag.

VCK cadre removed the flags following the intervention of elders of both castes but the flag of Mutharaiyars was still there. The flag was reportedly garlanded with footwear by miscreants. This incident was the trigger for them to unleash violence against the Dalits.
Pattern of violence
The violence against the Dalits here shows a pattern (more like Kodiyankulam), in which Dalit households which were economically stable were the primary targets.
Caste Hindus carrying iron rods, clubs and petrol cans went on the rampage after switching off power supply (a similar incident happened at Mela Orappanur near Madurai in 2005), burnt down haystacks, cattlesheds, brought down tiled roof of many houses and stole valuables, including jewellery, says P. Jayakumar (25) of Indira Nagar.

It was large-scale destruction of property. A few houses and shops were burnt down completely; many houses were damaged and ransacked.

The destruction was not limited to objects of everyday use, but also on sources of livelihood such as cattle, agricultural implements, pushcarts and sewing machines. Almost 85 houses both in Indira Nagar and Ambedkar Colony in the village have been damaged.

A couple of Dalit elders said that the caste Hindus were unable to digest the upward mobility of Dalits and their political assertion under the VCK. Erection of flagpoles, posters and banners by Dalit youth during various occasions has been seen as threats to their social status of dominance.

The Dalit colony, which has close to 150 families, has a good number of people who are graduates. A few of them are working in government offices. Most of them work as agricultural labourers and construction workers and a few do assorted jobs in Madurai city and are not dependent on the Mutharaiyars for work as they once were. The Dalit women say they need adequate police protection.

Various human rights organisations and fact-finding teams, comprising writers and advocates, have visited the village. In their reports, they have stated that the mass attack on Dalits is a bad precedent and must be curbed with an iron hand.

They further say that the Dalits suffered huge losses that warrant payment of adequate compensation by the State government. They complain that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has not been invoked and many major sections were left out.

Social scientists have found that attacks on Dalits who are politically assertive have become common. This phenomenon of controlling Dalits through violence and disciplining when ideological control has no hold is largely found among middle castes and castes, which are on the threshold of untouchability.

Police sources say that people belonging to Mutharaiyars, who were involved in the attack were actually mobilised for their attempt to erect a statue of Perumbidigu Mutharaiyar at Natham Bus Stand. They were diverted to Paralipudur following rumours that their flag was desecrated.

Minister for Revenue, I. Periasamy, visited the village on Wednesday and interacted with the residents.
Source: The Hindu Dt 18.02.2011
 
 
 
 

Results of Limited Departmental Competitive examination for promotion to the cadre of Group B 2009 has been declared by the Department.

Results of Limited Departmental Competitive examination for promotion to the cadre of Group B 2009 has been declared by the Department. Detailed result is available on Sahuliat.com This is 32 page document and takes a lot of time to download.

From IPOs line 26 officials have been declared successful. From General line as against 33 vacancies only 5 officials have been declared successful. 28 vacancies remained unfilled for want of qualified candidates.

IP Line Official (19%)

Vacancy: OC 21, SC 03, ST 02 Total 26

Selected: OC 21, SC 03, ST 02 Total 26

List of officials selected

Sl. No. Name of the candidate

Shri/Smt./Ms Roll No. Total marks secured out of 400 Remarks/

Circle to which belongs

1 M L Dhar JK/Gr.B/IPO-04/2009 322 J & K

2 M Sudhakar Mallya KN/PS-09/IP/48 320 Karantaka

3 M Jayantha Kumar KN/PS-09/IP/18 317 Karantaka

4 S Krishnamoorthi TN/GRB/52/IP/09 313 Tamilnadu

5 Md. Jaffar Sadik AP/GR B/041/2010 312 AndhraPradesh

6 J Samuel Jawahar Raj TN/GRB/40/IP/09 310 Tamilnadu

7 T V Sundari TN/GRB/20/IP/09 308 Tamilnadu

8 V P Chandrasekhar TN/GRB/22/IP/09 308 Tamilnadu

9 T Rajasekaran TN/GRB/59/IP/09 307 Tamilnadu

10 S A Mujeeb Basha TN/GRB/43/IP/09 306 Tamilnadu

11 Anil V Joshi KN/PS-09/IP/17 304 Karantaka

12 Satyabadi Biswal OR/PS-21/2009 303 Odisha

13 Sayyad Fayaj Babamiya MH/58/Gr.B/2009 302 Maharastra

14 T Saharaju TN/GRB/73/IP/09 302 Tamilnadu

15 Radhakisan K Rakate MH/58/Gr.B/2009 301 Maharastra

16 L Mohanan Achary K/PS-03/10 300 Kerala

17 P Suseelan K/PS-28/10 300 Kerala

18 C Karuppasamy TN/GRB/43/IP/09 299 Tamilnadu

19 B Chandrakanth Kamath KN/PS-09/IP/58 298 Karantaka

20 T A V Sarma AP/GRB/076/2010 297 AndhraPradesh

21 E Durairajan TN/GRB/73/IP/09 295 Tamilnadu

22 R Santhakumar TN/GRB/13/IP/09 289 SC/ Tamilnadu


23 K Venkatachalam TN/GRB/16/IP/09 285 SC/ Tamilnadu


24 M Sriraman TN/GRB/04/IP/09 281 SC/ Tamilnadu


25 G M Ramalingam TN/GRB/08/IP/09 266 ST/ Tamilnadu


26 A Karagappa KN/PS-09/IP/63 265 ST/ Karantaka



General Line (6 %)

Vacancy: OC 25, SC 06, ST 02 Total 33

Selected: OC 02, SC 03, ST 00 Total 05

Unfilled: OC 23, SC 03, ST 02 Total 28

List of officials selected

Sl. No. Name of the candidate

Shri/Smt./Ms Roll No. Total marks secured out of 400 Remarks

1 S Mahammed Basha AP/GL/GR B/07/2010 273 Andhra Pradesh

2 K Kanaka Ratna Rao AP/GL/GR B/05/2010 238 Andhra Pradesh

3 R Chidambaram TN/GR B/10/GL/09 237 SC/Tamilnadu


4 V Raju AP/GL/GR B/04/2010 222 SC/ AP


5 P Gurunathan TN/GR B/10/GL/09 209 SC/ Tamilnadu

To view the tabulation sheets of all the candidates appeared  please click the following link to download DOP orders.
http://www.sahuliyat.com/index.php?categoryid=29

Five chosen for Ambedkar Award

Congrats to our Postmaster General /MM for his achievements.
 



Dr. K.Ramachandirann PMG/MM is receiving Dr.Ambedkar award for Excellency-2010 from Former supreme court justice Sri S.Mohan

Indian Science Monitor, a non-profit institute here involved in promoting scientific temper, has chosen five persons for Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Award for Excellence 2010.

They are E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, MP (for contributions in the field of political science); R.W. Alexander Jesudasan, principal, Madras Christian College (research in entomology); K. Ramachandran, Post Master General (innovative activities in postal services); S. Velvizhi, Senior Scientist, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Nagapattinam, (popularising and streamlining marine-based livelihood options to rural communities); and D. Dayalan, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (integrating electronic and digital technology in archaeological interpretation).

Speaking at a function organised here on Wednesday in this connection, former judge of the Supreme Court S. Mohan appealed for societal recognition of intellectuals and scientists.

“It is unfortunate that they do not get the recognition they deserve while politicians, cine actors and even blackmarketeers get all the publicity,” he lamented.

Justice Mohan said that “shabby treatment” meted out to the intellectual community resulted in brain drain.

T.K.V. Rajan, founder-director, ISM, said the objective of this institute was to transmit relevant scientific data from ancient, mediaeval and modern science to the scientists and concerned citizens. It also aimed at generating awareness among the public of the impact of science and technology on society.
Source: The Hindu dated 17.02.2011

Pitiful plight of Adi Dravidar hostels highlighted at hearing
        It is Time to  constitute  State Assembly standing committee consisting of SC/ST MLA/MLC on the line of Parliamentary standing committee to review and evaluate  the implementation of welfare measures to SC/ST by Various departments of State Governments!



Years of neglect and official apathy to the basic well being of students in Government Adi Dravidar Hostels in Chennai were reflected in the tears and anger of the students at a public hearing on Wednesday.

Eighteen students, past and present inmates of the Adi Dravidar hostels, deposed at a Consultation and Public Hearing on Discrimination and violation of Human Rights standards in Government (Adi-Dravidar) Hostels for College Students in Tamil Nadu. All of them spoke of poor conditions in these Adi Dravidar hostels.

“The State has been granted over Rs 3,000 crore under the Special Component Plan for Dalit welfare. Can anyone tell us where the money is going? It is used for bridges and roads. There is not even a booklet on the funds spent under the plans,” said K. Prem Kumar, setting the tone. “There are 62 IAS officers from the Dalit community in service but still no hope for us,” he said.

A past inmate of the M.C. Raja Hostel in Saidapet, he said that the Chennai Mayor inaugurated a library at the hostel which has no books. While the government announces sports, gym and computer facilities, he said the students have seen none so far.

“There is no point in talking about the issues all over again. Everyone knows the pathetic conditions in the Adi Dravidar hostels,” said Manikandan, who stayed at the same hostel. Dalit students have resigned themselves to the fact that they must lead a life of the condemned for the years they stay at the hostel, he said.
All the students complained of the negligence of officials in keeping the campus and toilets clean; of unhygienic food served in plastic buckets; lack of transparency in administration and inefficiency of wardens. The students were also critical of leaders of Dalit parties for failing to take any effort to improve the conditions in hostels.

Admitting that students, other than those allotted rooms, stayed with them, Pitchai Pillai asked how they could drive away friends from poor families. Students come to study and not protest, he said. Many students worked in catering service during the evenings to eat good food at least once a day, he said. Students of the PG Hostel in Royapuram said that students worked as security guards in neighbourhood to meet personal expenses.

“We live the life of refugees in Chennai,” said a PG student. Many students said they were prepared to starve but the government must set up library, computers and spoken English classes in hostels. “Our primary goal for coming here is knowledge that will give us job and a dignified life,” said G. Muthuvel, a student of Literature in New College. “The government spends Rs 62 on a sniffer dog everyday. Can't it spend Rs 50 on a Dalit student aspiring to be successful,” asked a student.

Based on the depositions, the six NGOs recommended a complete overhaul of administration in the hostels to ensure hygienic conditions, medical facilities, proper menu lists, and healthy food. The practice of serving food in buckets must be stopped immediately. Another recommendation strongly suggested prosecution of officials of the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department for decades of negligence and discrimination amounting to atrocities under the SC&ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Source : The Hindu dt 17.02.2011

Students bemoan state of govt hostels



M Ramajayam, a postgraduate student at Madras University, said that the government does not want him to study any further. “There are no government hostels for MPhil and PhD students in Chennai even though a lot of young people come here from all over the state for higher education,” Ramajayam, a resident of Government PG Students hostel in Royapuram, said.


He was one of the speakers at a consultation and public hearing on discrimination and violation of human rights standards in government (Adi-Dravidar) hostels for college students in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

The hearing, organised by human rights and dalit organisations, had an audience of nearly 40 students who live in five government hostels in the city. “Most of the undergraduate and postgraduate hostels are overcrowded as they are forced to accommodate MPhil and PhD students who have nowhere else to stay,” Ramajayam said.

Also, postgraduation students find limited accommodation as only one of the five hostels in Chennai is meant for postgraduate students. Organisers said that while there were 111 undergraduate hostels in the state, only 11 were meant to house postgraduate students.

Students also said the rooms were overcrowded, filled to three to four times their capacity. To protest against the bad conditions at these hostels, the students of the MC Raja college hostel in Saidapet had taken to the streets in December blocking the arterial Anna Salai for many hours.

“It was only after this protest that we have taken account of the conditions of these hostels,” said S Vikram, co-ordinator at the human rights advocacy and research foundation in Chennai which conducted a study of the five city hostels.

The students also asked for proper utilisation of funds allotted in the budget. As of now, the students receive a daily allowance of Rs 18.40 and a monthly allowance of Rs 35 for soap, oil and other basic requirements. “This allowance amounts to only Rs 1.10 per person per day which is very low,” another student said.


 Source: The Times of India dated 17.02.2011
For further reading on the above subject appeared in Front line please click the following link.
http://www.frontline.in/fl2802/stories/20110128280209000.htm

Puthiya Tamizhagam meet to decide on symbol


Puthiya Tamizhagam (PT) leader K. Krishnasamy on Wednesday said that a meeting of district office-bearers on February 19 would decide whether the party should contest on its own symbol or the two leaves symbol of the AIADMK.

Talking to reporters, he said the meeting would also finalise candidates and constituencies the party would contest in the Assembly elections.

Expressing happiness over allocation of two seats, he said it was the first step towards the victory of the AIADMK in the elections.

Dr. Krishnasamy termed “ridiculous,” the picketing organised by DMK leaders, including MP Kanimozhi, against the ‘detention' of Tamil Nadu fishermen by their Sri Lankan counterparts, wondering who the DMK was targeting when the party was part of the UPA government at the Centre.

“If the DMK has self-respect, it should quit the Central government and fight the failure of the Centre in protecting the interests of fishermen.”
Source: The Hindu Dated 17.02.11

Manmohan “dead serious” about tackling wrongdoers

சாதிக்கு ஒரு நீதி என்பதை இந்திய நிருபித்துவிட்டது !  செய்யாத குற்றத்திற்கு திரு எ.ராசா விற்கு ஜெயில்!! 2G spectrum ஏலம் விட்டு இருந்தால் லாபம் கிடைத்து இருக்கும் அரசுக்கு நட்டம் ஏற்பட்டுவிட்டது என்று தலித் என்பதால் உள்ளே தள்ளினார்கள் , ISRO வின் S  பேண்ட் வெறும் 1000 கோடிக்கு விற்றதில் அரசுக்கு நட்டம் இல்லையம் ஏனெனில் அது பிரதமர் கிழ் வரும் அமைச்சகம்  என்பதால் நட்டம் வராது ஏனெனில் அவர் தலித் இல்லை என்பதை தவிர வேறு என்னவாக இருக்கமுடியம்!!!

Speaking to the country via a televised media interaction, his first since a host of scams have come to light over the past few months, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday gave an assurance that his government was “dead serious in bringing to book all wrongdoers.” But even as he repeated his commitment to punish the guilty, Dr. Singh refused to accept any personal responsibility for the policy decisions that led to the 2G spectrum and S-Band scams.

Pressed on whether he absolved himself completely, the Prime Minister blamed his coalition partners. “No one should doubt that I am conscious of my responsibilities. But I have some compulsions. One has to tolerate a great deal in coalition politics, or else go for elections every six months, which is also not the proper course to adopt.”

Later, he said: “I have never said I have never made a mistake…,” and then added, with a weak smile, “I am not as much of a culprit as I am being made out.”
The Prime Minister also used his hour-long interaction with editors of television channels to slam the Opposition and chide the media for creating the impression of a “scam-driven country,” something that was “weakening the self-confidence of the people” and spoiling the “image of India.”

“In reporting the affairs of our nation, we mustn't focus excessively on the negative features, important though it is that the government should deal with them,” he said.

Dr. Singh was, however, very clear that he was “not afraid of appearing before any committee, including a JPC [the proposed Joint Parliamentary Committee to examine the 2G spectrum scam].” Indeed, he stressed that there was a wrong impression that he had blocked an agreement on a JPC.

He added that he had also never felt like quitting even though things were not entirely the way he would have wished them to be. “I never felt like resigning because I have a job to do. The country voted our party to be the leader of the coalition, and we have a lot of unfinished business to accomplish...I will stay the course.”

While the scams the government had got engulfed in were his biggest regret, its biggest achievement was that it had ensured, despite a very unfavourable international economic environment, that the Indian economy's growth rhythm was not grossly affected, he said.


The news conference was intended to clear the air on the issue of corruption and present a strong and confident Prime Minister. But his answers on the scale of the 2G scam — in the light of Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal's controversial claim that there had been “zero loss” — suggested a continuing unwillingness to concede that there had been wrongdoing on a massive scale.
Source: The Hindu dated 17.02.11

அல்ப விஷயங்களை ஊதி பெரியதாக ஆக்கும் சன தான ,சாதிய பத்திரிகைகள் உ பி  முதல்வர் அவர்களை அணுகி வேலை நிரந்தரம் கேட்ட தற்காலிக ஆசிரியர் ஒருவரை பனி நீக்கம் செய்ததாக அலுத்து கொள்ளும் பத்திரிகைகள் முன்னால் குடியரசு தலை வராக இருந்த வெங்கட்ராமன் என்பவர் பாராளுமன்ற SC/ST உறுப்பினர்கள் தங்க ளுடைய forum சார்பாக ,அரசு SC/ST நலனுக்கிற்கு எதிரக வெளி இட்ட உத்திரவுகளை திரும்ப பெற கோரி மனு கொடுக்க சென்றவர்களை சந்திக்கா மறுத்ததை  மறந்து விட்டார்களா இவர்கள்?

Source: The Times of India dated 13.02.2011

IP Surplus Results 2007

IP Surplus Results 2007

The Supplementary list of allotment of Surplus qualified Candidates against OC, SC & ST vacancies of IP Exam 2007 held from 10.08.07 to 12.08.07 is follows.

01. Shri.P.Parthan, SC -TN/066/IPO/07 - Total Marks 284 - opted to Gujarat & Jharkhand - allotted to Gujarat.
02. Shri.A.Rajasekharan - TN/172/IPO/07 - Total Marks 278 - opted to Gujarat & Jharkhand - allotted to Jharkhand.
03. Ms.Hema Bharathi, SC - TN/139/IPO/07 - Total Marks 2260 -  opted to Tamilnadu - allotted to Tamilnadu.

Dte Memo No : A-34013 / 03 / 2007-DE (Pt) Dt 11.02.11.

Officials 'ensure' Dalits get separate burial ground

Indian Administrative officers continuously taking side with majority people i.e caste Hindus and oppressing the SC/ST people,by joining  with Caste Hindus and local caste  political parties.   The Caste minded and weak   bureaucrats have no courage and efficiency to uphold the rights of SC/ST People.  The Following news item is a classic example. 

WHILE the double tumbler system at some tea shops has come in for much criticism, the practice of allotting a separate burial ground for Dalits continues to prevail in some villages. Even in death, the Dalits are discriminated by noting given a place in the common graveyard. But what is more shocking is that the government officials, who are charged with the responsibility of this form of untouchability, help in perpetuating the discrimination.

A case in point is the decision taken at the meeting recently at the office of the Revenue Divisional Officer at Uthamapalayam in Theni district, where it was decided that the Dalits should bury their dead in the place ear marked for them and not try to intern their dead in the burial ground allotted for non-Dalits.

The caste Hindus of Keelayanur village within the limits of Veerapandi police station in Bodinayakkanur block of Theni district had opposed the Dalits of the village burying their dead in the common burial ground. When the body of Raja, a Dalit, was taken to the common burial ground on January 3, 2011, the caste Hindus objected. This resulted in a clash and police who registered a case and had arrested 13 Dalits and four from other communities.

On January 27, petrol bombs were hurled at the house of Sinnayee, a Dalit woman, critically injuring her. She died at the Government Rajaji Hospital here on February 1. Four non-Dalits l e were arrested. Revenue offis cials convened a meeting in e the village inviting both comd munities, following which it r was decided that the old practice of double burial l grounds should continue.

e Subsequently, another t meeting was held at the ofg fice of the RDO where it was decided that the members of n the Devendrakula Velalar s (Dalits) should bury their dead at the same site they had used earlier. Cremation should also be done there.

The non-Dalits should continue to use the cremation shed on the bank of the river and bury their dead nearby.
It was stipulated that members of the Dalit community should not cremate their bodies at this shed nor bury their dead nearby.

The minutes of the meeting say the president of the Keelayanur panchayat agreed to construct a cremation shed for the Dalits on survey No. 49, and provide a pipeline and electricity, to construct a compound wall for the Dalit graveyard and to seek funds for it from the Collector.

Dalits were also told to ensure that when carrying a body on a bier, flowers should not fall on the streets of other communities. y e RDO'S ORDER r Death no leveller The RDO of Uthamapale ayam in Theni district e recently directed that r Dalits bury their dead in d the place earmarked for them and not try to intern e their dead in the burial  ground for non-Dalits
Source: The Indian Express dated 13.02.2011

India still neglecting SC/ST masses, says ex-civil servant

The Welfare and Plight  of SC/ST continuously neglected by political parties ,Government and caste Media .  This news item published by the media in 4 th page.  SC/ST Population of India is 1/4 the news item concerning them published in 4 page whereas news item concerning an individual actor(Prakash Raj) find a place in the front page.  Please click the following link   http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOINEW/navigator.asp?Daily=TOICH&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI.

The amount of Rs 678.91 crore diverted from the special component plan for scheduled castes to the Commonwealth Games are yet to be restored despite promises by the home minister, according to retired IAS officer P S Krishnan, a champion of the rights of SC and ST.


Addressing the fourth Gijubhai memorial lecture, Krishnan said the Indian state had long ignored the rights of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Backward Classes in its quest for 9 to 10% GDP growth.

PS Krishnan, a 1956 batch IAS officer, headed the social welfare ministry at the time when PM VP Singh announced implementation of 27% job reservation in government for OBCs.

“The largest number of landless labourers, the largest number of people below the poverty line, the largest number of malnourished children and the population with the highest infant and child mortality rate, are all SCs and STs,” he said.

He said the marginalised group had also been denied quality education with nearly one- third of SC families having no literate adult member, three-fifths having no literate female adult and SC and ST children in many schools being prevented from drinking water or eating mid-day meals with other children. “An amount of Rs 250 crore which was provided in 1996 for establishing residential schools for SC girls in low literacy districts all over India was also snatched away in 2003 and not a single residential school was established with these funds,” Krishnan said.

He said that though the Right to Education Act was welcome, in the absence of specific reservation for SC/STs, the goal of removing educational gap between them and the advanced castes would not be achieved. “Manual scavenging, bonded labour, abysmal working conditions and denial of social security for SCs/STs continue to exist despite laws and legislations against these in the country,” he said. Commenting on the census, he said that the enumeration for SC/STs and BCs had to be more comprehensive.

PS Krishnan and V Vasanthi Devi, former VC of Manonmaniam Sundaram University at the fourth Gijubhai memorial lecture

Source: The Times of India dated 11.02.2011

Call for leak-proof legislation for reservation for SCs/STs, BCs in employment
Watertight legislation for reservation in State jobs for SCs, STs and BCs, a comprehensive land distribution and minor irrigation programme and educational parity initiatives at all levels are key instruments for implementing social justice goals envisaged in the Constitution, former bureaucrat P.S. Krishnan said here on Thursday.



Delivering the Gijubhai Badekha Memorial Lecture under the joint auspices of the Asian College of Journalism and the NCERT, Mr. Krishnan said while irrigation-linked land distribution schemes were crucial for the economic liberation of SCs, STs, BCs and other landless peasants, evolving “leakage-proof” legislation for job reservation was necessary to remove loopholes in the present system and for providing due share to SCs, STs and BCs in governance and administration.


Mr. Krishnan, a former Government of India Secretary and a champion of the rights of the marginalised social strata, advocated the establishment of high quality residential schools for SC,ST and BC children as a starting point for achieving educational parity. On the higher education front, he sought the implementation of the recommendations (in 2008) of the high-level Ministerial committee on Dalit Affairs and the introduction in Parliament of “The Private Educational Institutions (Reservations in Admissions) Bill to fulfil the purpose foreseen in the 93 {+r} {+d} Constitution Amendment Act.


While advocating zero-tolerance of untouchability and forms of discrimination (such as social boycott), Mr. Krishnan wanted more teeth to the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 through establishment of special courts and enhancement of punishment.

Pointing out that the pre-Independence slogan of “land to the tiller” remained substantively unrealised in rural India, Mr. Krishnan argued that in the case of SCs, landless state contributed to and aggravated agricultural servitude and “untouchability.”


According to the former bureaucrat, the rampant diversion of the Special Component Plan for SCs constituted a “serious social corruption.” The cavalier approach to the SCPs (and Tribal Sub-Plans), as borne out in the controversy over the Commonwealth Games, had reduced what was intended to bridge the gap between the marginalised and the advanced classes to a “meaningless, pointless arithmetical-statistical exercise.”


Making the case that the issues of the SCs, STs and BCs were not marginal issues but entwined with the core of India's aspirations to become a regional and global power, Mr. Krishnan said the operational cost of land distribution, educational parity and uplift programmes were well within the financial capability of the government.


Citing the Global Financial Integrity research group that pointed out that India had lost in illicit financial outflows at least Rs. 72,000 crore every year between 2002 and 2006 alone, Mr. Krishnan said “… even without taking this into account, the present and likely future annual plan size is enough to accommodate the needs of SCs and STs … .”


Terming the mainstreaming of the oppressed classes a national task, Mr. Krishnan said teachers had an important role to play in changing attitudes and mindsets through human rights education that promoted the egalitarian ideal in society — especially among children — and eliminated “the total mismatch between a big nation and small caste-shrivelled minds.”

V. Vasanthi Devi, former Vice Chancellor, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, and Shakuntala Nagpal from the NCERT also spoke.
Source: The Hindu Dt 11.02.2011