Dalit panel chief’s post vacant in TS
Notwithstanding the government’s repeated claims of its concern for the backward class people and Dalits, the post of chairman of Telangana State SC/ST Commission has been lying vacant for the past six months. Several Dalit activists are now demanding that the government appoint the chairman and members of SC/ST commission.
It may be mentioned that the seat has fallen vacant since February 6 when the three-year tenure of its chairman Erraolla Srinivas and members was completed.
The commission has the powers of a civil court and can try a suit and inquire, take suo motu cognizance of an issue and initiate a petition submitted by a victim. All the proceedings before the commission shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings. Further, the commission had the power to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
“The commission has the powers to direct several authorities if found any laxity during the investigation process. If justice is not served at the police station, many victims knock on the doors of the commission. It acts as a bridge between victims and law enforcement agency,” opined a national secretary of Dalit Bahujan Front (DBF) P. Shankar.
According to sources, hundreds of petitions are being received on a daily basis by the commission. With the absence of a chairman and members, it has been difficult for the commission to clear those petitions. Shankar, who recently submitted a petition to finance minister Harish Rao requesting to appoint the commission chairman and a member, said, “It would be great if retired judges and other civil societies members are admitted as the chairman and commission member. They don’t have anything to do with the political parties and are expected to work in a transparent manner without any pressure unlike a person from a political background.”
Seconding the same, Anjaneyulu Madduluri, Telangana regional manager of ActionAid NGO said, “Nonpolitical people should be appointed as the chairman rather than a person affiliated to a political party.”Under the commission, a vigilance and monitoring committee would be appointed at district level to review the petition by victims.
Every month, under the leadership of the district collector, meetings will be conducted. Further, the members of the committee would visit several villages and create awareness regarding discrimination against Dalits. Due to the absence of chairman to the commission, everything came to standstill, opined Anjaneyulu.
He further added that at least once a year the apex meetings should be held under the leadership of the Chief Minister along with the home department, social welfare department and other stakeholders. They should review the situation and atrocity cases and try to resolve the issues. However, without a proper commission, it would be very difficult, he said.