---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre-PMARC <pmarc2008@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 4:43 PM
Subject: [PMARC] Dalits Media Watch - News Updates 24.02.10
To: Dalits Media Watch <PMARC@dgroups.org>
From: Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre-PMARC <pmarc2008@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 4:43 PM
Subject: [PMARC] Dalits Media Watch - News Updates 24.02.10
To: Dalits Media Watch <PMARC@dgroups.org>
*Dalits Media Watch*
*News Updates 24.02.10***
* *
Four booked for roughing up Dalit marriage party - *Indian Express*
*
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Four-booked-for-roughing-up-Dalit-marriage-party/583646
*
*After Hindu-Christian conflict in Punjab, now begins Dalit-Jat row -**Punjab
Newsline*
http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/23652/38/
*71 wards under general category *- *The Times Of India*
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/-71-wards-under-general-category/articleshow/5609186.cms
**
HC quashes suspension order of Saharanpur EE - *The Times Of India*
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/HC-quashes-suspension-order-of-Saharanpur-EE/articleshow/5609512.cms
**
* 'BJP trying to scuttle provisions of SC, ST Act' - **The Hindu*
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/24/stories/2010022451430300.htm
*SC students from Punjab score edge over others - **The Pioneer***
http://www.dailypioneer.com/238173/SC-students-from-Punjab-score-edge-over-others.html
*Many states not implementing SC/ST Act: Suresh Mane - **The Hindu*
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/24/stories/2010022460390200.htm
* *
*Indian Express*
Four booked for roughing up Dalit marriage party
*
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Four-booked-for-roughing-up-Dalit-marriage-party/583646
*
* *
*Pragya Kaushika *
Four Thakurs have been booked after they roughed up members of a Dalit
marriage party who were taking the groom around Chakh Birampur village in
Greater Noida.
The incident occurred on Sunday night when the family and friends of the
groom Anni, belonging to the Valmiki caste from Mohana village in
Bulandshahr, tried to take him around the village on a mare. SP (Rural)
Surendra Verma said the Thakurs objected to this and asked the wedding party
to take the route meant for Dalits.
When the groom's party objected, they were assaulted, said the bride's
family. However, the accused claimed they objected due to the drunken
behaviour of the groom's family.
Investigation Officer N P Gautam said, "The Dalits usually take the route
designated for them. But this groom's family insisted on taking a round of
the entire village to which the Thakurs objected resulting in a fight
between the two groups." The crowd dispersed after the police came in and
warned them, he said.
*Punjab** Newsline*
*After Hindu-Christian conflict in Punjab, now begins Dalit-Jat row*
http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/23652/38/
*By Sameer Kaura, **PHAGWARA:* Days after Christians and Hindus clashed in
Punjab over sacrilege of Christian worship places, another confrontation
brewed between dalits and Jats in Phagwara sub division, causing serious
threat to social facbric of state.
Hundreds of Dalits activists led by Dr Jagdish Dadra Tuesday demonstration
and blocked vehicular road traffic near rest house chowk on national highway
here in protest against hurting their religious sentiments by Jat community
who forced them to stop congregation in mid way in nearby village kattan
falling in Behram police station area.
The Protesters demanded immediate registeration of a criminal case against
those miscreants belonging to jat community on the charges of hurting their
religious sentiments. The Blockade was lifted in Phagwara after some time
when the protesters were informed that Behram Police has booked those
elements involved in the incident which was flaired up after a Common Land
(Shamlat Land) dispute between both communities.
When contacted Behram Police SHO told that Police has registered a case
under section 295A IPC and SC/ST Act against village Kattan Sarpanch
Jugmohan Singh and four others, but no arrest has been made till so for.
*The Times Of India*
71 wards under general category
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/-71-wards-under-general-category/articleshow/5609186.cms
BANGALORE: According to the state government's guidelines on reservation,
127 of the 198 wards are under reserved categories for SCs, STs, BCs and
women. The remaining 71 wards are for general candidates. The public has
been given 7 days for filing objections.
Though there is no scientific formula to fix reservation, the 'one-third'
basis is normally followed. Every third ward is fixed as a general one, with
those falling in between reserved for SCs, STs or BCs. For instance, if Ward
1 is general, Ward 4 could be either general or general women. Wards have
SC/ST/BC reservation based on caste composition.
The high court had directed the government to prepare the reservation list
based on 2001 census, scrapping the July 21 guidelines that provided SC/ST
reservations on assembly segment-wise population. According to the census,
Scheduled Castes constitute 6,81,521 of Bangalore's population of 58,40,155,
and the scheduled tribes 70,071.
The special leave petition filed by the government in the apex court seeking
extension of time was dismissed with the court directing that polls should
be held along with the examinations.
*SEC played it safe *
After the apex court rejected the state's SLP on conducting the BBMP polls,
the State Election Commission played it safe by filing an interlocutory
application on Tuesday, seeking a direction to the state for issuing
ward-wise reservation list at the earliest. The Supreme Court on Monday
dismissed the SLP filed by the state government challenging the HC order to
hold polls on or before March 30.
In the IA by C R Revanna, under-secretary to the SEC, the commission stated
that the government had so far not issued the reservation list as per the
February 11 order of the court.
"We had written a number of letters and reminders to the government on this
issue. On February 11, we wrote a letter giving a tentative schedule for
holding the polls. It was suggested that the nomination process would start
from February 24 and election would be held on March 14 and the counting on
March 21, both Sundays. These were suggested to avoid clashing with exam
dates and to complete the process before March 30, as directed by the
court," the application stated.
*The Times Of India*
HC quashes suspension order of Saharanpur EE
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/HC-quashes-suspension-order-of-Saharanpur-EE/articleshow/5609512.cms
LUCKNOW: A MP from Saharanpur has been accused of victimising an executive
engineer (EE) time and again in order to pressurise him to cooperate with
him in misuse of MP fund. In a relief, the high court has quashed second
suspension order of the EE.
The bench of Justice U N Singh and Justice D K Arora, however, gave liberty
to District Rural Development Authority (DRDA) to continue with the
departmental inquiry, but it is to be concluded within three months.
EE Dinesh submitted that he had turned down the request of local MP to grant
sanction for brick fitting on a stretch of road in his constituency. On
proper and repeated inspection, the road was found to be already covered
with brick fittings. The MP wanted to show expenditure from his fund on the
count where work was not required. The EE declined to succumb to the
pressure tactics of the MP.
EE added that he was also framed up in a criminal case under the SC/ST
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act and was subjected to other types of
victimisation. In the series of such victimisation, he had been suspended
earlier also on October 18, 2007 and the same was stayed.
The bench observed that the EE was suspended in order to be victimised and
that the suspension order was passed on vague allegations. The suspension
order passed by principal secretary, rural development, also suffered from
serious discrepancies like being contrary to rule 4 of the UP Government
Servant (Disciplinary and Appeal) Rules 99.
CMO summoned: The high court has summoned chief medical officer (CMO)
Barabanki on February 24 in a frequent transfer case. The order came from
the bench of Justice U N Singh and Justice D K Arora on the petition of Dr
Arvind Kumar Yadav. The petitioner had alleged that in a period of five
months, he was transferred seven times. Despite court orders, the CMO did
not submit his reply in the court.
Bail plea: On Tuesday, Justice R M Chauhan of the high court reserved orders
on the bail plea of MLC and Lucknow Public School Manager, S P Singh. His
bail was earlier granted by the high court but later the supreme court
cancelled his bail. It was contended that an accused cannot be stopped from
moving fresh bail application.
*The Hindu*
*'BJP trying to scuttle provisions of SC, ST Act'*
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/24/stories/2010022451430300.htm
Staff Correspondent
*Police acting as agents of the BJP, says CPI(ML) leader*
*'Cases not being filed against those who attack Dalits'*
Madikeri: The State Committee member of the Communist Party of India
(Marxist-Leninist), D.S. Nirvanappa, on Tuesday alleged that members of the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its frontal organisations in Kodagu were
attempting to scuttle the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, by preventing the police
from registering cases against those who attack Dalits.
The CPI (ML), in association with other like-minded organisations, would
stage a demonstration here on March 12 to protest against it, Mr. Nirvanappa
told presspersons here.
In over six cases involving attacks on Dalits in different parts of the
district in the last two years, the police had failed to arrest the
culprits, he said. He accused the police of "acting as the agents of the
BJP".
The police had recently booked a false case against president of the
Nerugalale Gram Panchayat Cauvery and a rape case against her son for
standing up against those belonging to "upper" caste, Mr. Nirvanappa
alleged.
The SC and ST people and minorities in Kodagu lived in fear, he said.
Ms. Cauvery was present at the press conference.
*Opposed *
The CPI (ML) would oppose the move of the State Government to ban cow
slaughter as it appeared to be biased against a particular community, Mr.
Nirvanappa said.
Sannappa, secretary of the Kodagu of the CPI (ML), Shashikiran, its member,
and H.B. Basappa, member of the Revolutionary Youth Front of India, were
present on the occasion.
*The Pioneer*
*SC students from Punjab score edge over others*
http://www.dailypioneer.com/238173/SC-students-from-Punjab-score-edge-over-others.html
Monika | Chandigarh
When it comes to education, the Scheduled Castes (SC) population in Punjab
is having an edge over others. A remarkable segment of the scheduled castes
adding up to 92 per cent, eligible to be admitted in schools, are acquiring
education in schools across the State. There are total of 98.40 per cent
scheduled castes students being enrolled in the schools at primary level and
85.42 per cent at upper primary level.
While the State has a noteworthy number of students being enrolled in the
schools at primary (class I to V) and middle level (VI to VIII), the
involvement of their SC counterparts are even more encouraging. The SC
population in the State amounts to over 70 lakh, out of which nearly 65
lakhs are enrolled with the schools.
The figures by the State Planning Commission reveal that the State's gross
enrollment ratio (GER) is nearly 85 per cent against 92 per cent of the SC
segment.
Leaving behind their vis-à-vis at the primary level, the GER of SC girls at
the primary level is 107.17 per cent against 90.98 per cent overall GER. The
trend in the upper primary level is also the same with 86.04 per cent SC
girls enrolled in the schools against the total GER of 74.72 per cent.
The males are even not far behind. Though, lagging behind at the primary
level with 91.95 per cent GER as compared to 95.08 per cent GER on the
whole, the SC boys have 84.89 per cent GER against 80.07 per cent
correspondingly.
The State, having a total of 37 scheduled castes (enumerated during 2001
census) constituting 29 per cent of State's population, has the highest
proportion of SC population among all the States and Union Territories. In
absolute numbers, Punjab holds tenth rank and accounts for 4.2 per cent of
the total SC population of the country.
Although, the figures regarding GER of the SCs in the State are higher than
that of the State as a whole, the literacy rate of Punjab at 69.65 per cent
is not only higher than the SCs (56.2 per cent) but also than the all India
average of 64.84 per cent.
In an effort to encourage the enrolment of students belonging to SC
communities, the State Government is providing legion of schemes to them
with an objective to reduce their drop-out rate from schools. "The
encouraging number of SCs being enrolled in the schools shows the effort the
State Government is making in order to provide education to them," a senior
official at the education department told The Pioneer, requesting anonymity.
"The main reason for the drop outs is the poor economic conditions of the SC
families as they do not afford school uniforms for their wards, forcing them
to opt to discontinue their education at the primary level," said a senior
official adding that "this is the reason is why the drop out rate among SC
boys and girls at primary level adds up to 36.28 per cent and that is why we
have started several schemes."
As per the figures of Registrar General of India, only 29 per cent of the SC
literates in Punjab are either without any educational level or have
attained education below the primary level while 21 per cent of SC literates
are there up to matric, secondary or higher secondary level, implying that
every fifth SC literate is a matriculate.
*The Hindu*
*Many states not implementing SC/ST Act: Suresh Mane*
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/24/stories/2010022460390200.htm
D. Karthikeyan
MADURAI: It has been 20 years since the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 came into force but several
states in the country, including Tamil Nadu have failed to implement the
Act, said Suresh Mane, national general secretary, Bahujan Samaj Party.
Talking to The Hindu in Madurai recently, Mr. Mane cited various reasons for
the non-implementation of the Act. "There exists lacunae on many fronts,
right from conducting the investigation by a competent authority till the
setting up a Special Court, States should have a nodal officer to look into
its implementation but none of this has been done".
The general conviction rate under the Indian Penal Code is 45 per cent
whereas the conviction rate under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989
is less than 15 per cent, this showed that this Act which was a tool for
legal empowerment of Dalits, lacked resources for its implementation, he
said.
In the case of Tamil Nadu, The National Commission for Scheduled Castes,
Vice Chairman, N.M. Kamble had highlighted this at a review meeting. Mr.
Mane also said that there have been rampant acts of atrocities in Tamil Nadu
especially the southern districts where two-tumbler system still existed and
access to avail common property resources was prevented for Dalits.
Stating that every State in the country was trying to divide Dalits in the
name of reservation, he said that it was against the Constitution and law.
Citing the Arunthathiyar case in Tamil Nadu, he questioned whether the Tamil
Nadu Government could provide a special quota in the case of castes coming
under Other Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes.
When asked about the Ranganath Mishra Commission Report, Mr. Mane said that
it was a failure on the part of the United Progressive Alliance Government
and Tamil Nadu Government not to provide reservation to Dalit Christians and
Muslims.
On March 15, BSP would be celebrating its Silver Jubilee function at Ramabai
Ambedkar Ground in Lucknow and 250 delegates from Tamil Nadu would be
participating, he said. On the occasion, a documentary film on Kanshi Ram
would be released by the BSP supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister
Mayawati, he said.
As part of the nation-wide membership drive which started on January 16, Ms.
Mayawati would be visiting southern states during April or May.
-
.Arun Khote
On behalf of
Dalits Media Watch Team
(An initiative of "Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre-PMARC")
..................................................................
Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre- PMARC has been initiated with the
support from group of senior journalists, social activists, academics and
intellectuals from Dalit and civil society to advocate and facilitate
Dalits issues in the mainstream media. To create proper & adequate space
with the Dalit perspective in the mainstream media national/ International
on Dalit issues is primary objective of the PMARC.
*News Updates 24.02.10***
* *
Four booked for roughing up Dalit marriage party - *Indian Express*
*
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Four-booked-for-roughing-up-Dalit-marriage-party/583646
*
*After Hindu-Christian conflict in Punjab, now begins Dalit-Jat row -**Punjab
Newsline*
http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/23652/38/
*71 wards under general category *- *The Times Of India*
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/-71-wards-under-general-category/articleshow/5609186.cms
**
HC quashes suspension order of Saharanpur EE - *The Times Of India*
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/HC-quashes-suspension-order-of-Saharanpur-EE/articleshow/5609512.cms
**
* 'BJP trying to scuttle provisions of SC, ST Act' - **The Hindu*
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/24/stories/2010022451430300.htm
*SC students from Punjab score edge over others - **The Pioneer***
http://www.dailypioneer.com/238173/SC-students-from-Punjab-score-edge-over-others.html
*Many states not implementing SC/ST Act: Suresh Mane - **The Hindu*
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/24/stories/2010022460390200.htm
* *
*Indian Express*
Four booked for roughing up Dalit marriage party
*
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Four-booked-for-roughing-up-Dalit-marriage-party/583646
*
* *
*Pragya Kaushika *
Four Thakurs have been booked after they roughed up members of a Dalit
marriage party who were taking the groom around Chakh Birampur village in
Greater Noida.
The incident occurred on Sunday night when the family and friends of the
groom Anni, belonging to the Valmiki caste from Mohana village in
Bulandshahr, tried to take him around the village on a mare. SP (Rural)
Surendra Verma said the Thakurs objected to this and asked the wedding party
to take the route meant for Dalits.
When the groom's party objected, they were assaulted, said the bride's
family. However, the accused claimed they objected due to the drunken
behaviour of the groom's family.
Investigation Officer N P Gautam said, "The Dalits usually take the route
designated for them. But this groom's family insisted on taking a round of
the entire village to which the Thakurs objected resulting in a fight
between the two groups." The crowd dispersed after the police came in and
warned them, he said.
*Punjab** Newsline*
*After Hindu-Christian conflict in Punjab, now begins Dalit-Jat row*
http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/23652/38/
*By Sameer Kaura, **PHAGWARA:* Days after Christians and Hindus clashed in
Punjab over sacrilege of Christian worship places, another confrontation
brewed between dalits and Jats in Phagwara sub division, causing serious
threat to social facbric of state.
Hundreds of Dalits activists led by Dr Jagdish Dadra Tuesday demonstration
and blocked vehicular road traffic near rest house chowk on national highway
here in protest against hurting their religious sentiments by Jat community
who forced them to stop congregation in mid way in nearby village kattan
falling in Behram police station area.
The Protesters demanded immediate registeration of a criminal case against
those miscreants belonging to jat community on the charges of hurting their
religious sentiments. The Blockade was lifted in Phagwara after some time
when the protesters were informed that Behram Police has booked those
elements involved in the incident which was flaired up after a Common Land
(Shamlat Land) dispute between both communities.
When contacted Behram Police SHO told that Police has registered a case
under section 295A IPC and SC/ST Act against village Kattan Sarpanch
Jugmohan Singh and four others, but no arrest has been made till so for.
*The Times Of India*
71 wards under general category
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/-71-wards-under-general-category/articleshow/5609186.cms
BANGALORE: According to the state government's guidelines on reservation,
127 of the 198 wards are under reserved categories for SCs, STs, BCs and
women. The remaining 71 wards are for general candidates. The public has
been given 7 days for filing objections.
Though there is no scientific formula to fix reservation, the 'one-third'
basis is normally followed. Every third ward is fixed as a general one, with
those falling in between reserved for SCs, STs or BCs. For instance, if Ward
1 is general, Ward 4 could be either general or general women. Wards have
SC/ST/BC reservation based on caste composition.
The high court had directed the government to prepare the reservation list
based on 2001 census, scrapping the July 21 guidelines that provided SC/ST
reservations on assembly segment-wise population. According to the census,
Scheduled Castes constitute 6,81,521 of Bangalore's population of 58,40,155,
and the scheduled tribes 70,071.
The special leave petition filed by the government in the apex court seeking
extension of time was dismissed with the court directing that polls should
be held along with the examinations.
*SEC played it safe *
After the apex court rejected the state's SLP on conducting the BBMP polls,
the State Election Commission played it safe by filing an interlocutory
application on Tuesday, seeking a direction to the state for issuing
ward-wise reservation list at the earliest. The Supreme Court on Monday
dismissed the SLP filed by the state government challenging the HC order to
hold polls on or before March 30.
In the IA by C R Revanna, under-secretary to the SEC, the commission stated
that the government had so far not issued the reservation list as per the
February 11 order of the court.
"We had written a number of letters and reminders to the government on this
issue. On February 11, we wrote a letter giving a tentative schedule for
holding the polls. It was suggested that the nomination process would start
from February 24 and election would be held on March 14 and the counting on
March 21, both Sundays. These were suggested to avoid clashing with exam
dates and to complete the process before March 30, as directed by the
court," the application stated.
*The Times Of India*
HC quashes suspension order of Saharanpur EE
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/HC-quashes-suspension-order-of-Saharanpur-EE/articleshow/5609512.cms
LUCKNOW: A MP from Saharanpur has been accused of victimising an executive
engineer (EE) time and again in order to pressurise him to cooperate with
him in misuse of MP fund. In a relief, the high court has quashed second
suspension order of the EE.
The bench of Justice U N Singh and Justice D K Arora, however, gave liberty
to District Rural Development Authority (DRDA) to continue with the
departmental inquiry, but it is to be concluded within three months.
EE Dinesh submitted that he had turned down the request of local MP to grant
sanction for brick fitting on a stretch of road in his constituency. On
proper and repeated inspection, the road was found to be already covered
with brick fittings. The MP wanted to show expenditure from his fund on the
count where work was not required. The EE declined to succumb to the
pressure tactics of the MP.
EE added that he was also framed up in a criminal case under the SC/ST
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act and was subjected to other types of
victimisation. In the series of such victimisation, he had been suspended
earlier also on October 18, 2007 and the same was stayed.
The bench observed that the EE was suspended in order to be victimised and
that the suspension order was passed on vague allegations. The suspension
order passed by principal secretary, rural development, also suffered from
serious discrepancies like being contrary to rule 4 of the UP Government
Servant (Disciplinary and Appeal) Rules 99.
CMO summoned: The high court has summoned chief medical officer (CMO)
Barabanki on February 24 in a frequent transfer case. The order came from
the bench of Justice U N Singh and Justice D K Arora on the petition of Dr
Arvind Kumar Yadav. The petitioner had alleged that in a period of five
months, he was transferred seven times. Despite court orders, the CMO did
not submit his reply in the court.
Bail plea: On Tuesday, Justice R M Chauhan of the high court reserved orders
on the bail plea of MLC and Lucknow Public School Manager, S P Singh. His
bail was earlier granted by the high court but later the supreme court
cancelled his bail. It was contended that an accused cannot be stopped from
moving fresh bail application.
*The Hindu*
*'BJP trying to scuttle provisions of SC, ST Act'*
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/24/stories/2010022451430300.htm
Staff Correspondent
*Police acting as agents of the BJP, says CPI(ML) leader*
*'Cases not being filed against those who attack Dalits'*
Madikeri: The State Committee member of the Communist Party of India
(Marxist-Leninist), D.S. Nirvanappa, on Tuesday alleged that members of the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its frontal organisations in Kodagu were
attempting to scuttle the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, by preventing the police
from registering cases against those who attack Dalits.
The CPI (ML), in association with other like-minded organisations, would
stage a demonstration here on March 12 to protest against it, Mr. Nirvanappa
told presspersons here.
In over six cases involving attacks on Dalits in different parts of the
district in the last two years, the police had failed to arrest the
culprits, he said. He accused the police of "acting as the agents of the
BJP".
The police had recently booked a false case against president of the
Nerugalale Gram Panchayat Cauvery and a rape case against her son for
standing up against those belonging to "upper" caste, Mr. Nirvanappa
alleged.
The SC and ST people and minorities in Kodagu lived in fear, he said.
Ms. Cauvery was present at the press conference.
*Opposed *
The CPI (ML) would oppose the move of the State Government to ban cow
slaughter as it appeared to be biased against a particular community, Mr.
Nirvanappa said.
Sannappa, secretary of the Kodagu of the CPI (ML), Shashikiran, its member,
and H.B. Basappa, member of the Revolutionary Youth Front of India, were
present on the occasion.
*The Pioneer*
*SC students from Punjab score edge over others*
http://www.dailypioneer.com/238173/SC-students-from-Punjab-score-edge-over-others.html
Monika | Chandigarh
When it comes to education, the Scheduled Castes (SC) population in Punjab
is having an edge over others. A remarkable segment of the scheduled castes
adding up to 92 per cent, eligible to be admitted in schools, are acquiring
education in schools across the State. There are total of 98.40 per cent
scheduled castes students being enrolled in the schools at primary level and
85.42 per cent at upper primary level.
While the State has a noteworthy number of students being enrolled in the
schools at primary (class I to V) and middle level (VI to VIII), the
involvement of their SC counterparts are even more encouraging. The SC
population in the State amounts to over 70 lakh, out of which nearly 65
lakhs are enrolled with the schools.
The figures by the State Planning Commission reveal that the State's gross
enrollment ratio (GER) is nearly 85 per cent against 92 per cent of the SC
segment.
Leaving behind their vis-à-vis at the primary level, the GER of SC girls at
the primary level is 107.17 per cent against 90.98 per cent overall GER. The
trend in the upper primary level is also the same with 86.04 per cent SC
girls enrolled in the schools against the total GER of 74.72 per cent.
The males are even not far behind. Though, lagging behind at the primary
level with 91.95 per cent GER as compared to 95.08 per cent GER on the
whole, the SC boys have 84.89 per cent GER against 80.07 per cent
correspondingly.
The State, having a total of 37 scheduled castes (enumerated during 2001
census) constituting 29 per cent of State's population, has the highest
proportion of SC population among all the States and Union Territories. In
absolute numbers, Punjab holds tenth rank and accounts for 4.2 per cent of
the total SC population of the country.
Although, the figures regarding GER of the SCs in the State are higher than
that of the State as a whole, the literacy rate of Punjab at 69.65 per cent
is not only higher than the SCs (56.2 per cent) but also than the all India
average of 64.84 per cent.
In an effort to encourage the enrolment of students belonging to SC
communities, the State Government is providing legion of schemes to them
with an objective to reduce their drop-out rate from schools. "The
encouraging number of SCs being enrolled in the schools shows the effort the
State Government is making in order to provide education to them," a senior
official at the education department told The Pioneer, requesting anonymity.
"The main reason for the drop outs is the poor economic conditions of the SC
families as they do not afford school uniforms for their wards, forcing them
to opt to discontinue their education at the primary level," said a senior
official adding that "this is the reason is why the drop out rate among SC
boys and girls at primary level adds up to 36.28 per cent and that is why we
have started several schemes."
As per the figures of Registrar General of India, only 29 per cent of the SC
literates in Punjab are either without any educational level or have
attained education below the primary level while 21 per cent of SC literates
are there up to matric, secondary or higher secondary level, implying that
every fifth SC literate is a matriculate.
*The Hindu*
*Many states not implementing SC/ST Act: Suresh Mane*
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/24/stories/2010022460390200.htm
D. Karthikeyan
MADURAI: It has been 20 years since the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 came into force but several
states in the country, including Tamil Nadu have failed to implement the
Act, said Suresh Mane, national general secretary, Bahujan Samaj Party.
Talking to The Hindu in Madurai recently, Mr. Mane cited various reasons for
the non-implementation of the Act. "There exists lacunae on many fronts,
right from conducting the investigation by a competent authority till the
setting up a Special Court, States should have a nodal officer to look into
its implementation but none of this has been done".
The general conviction rate under the Indian Penal Code is 45 per cent
whereas the conviction rate under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989
is less than 15 per cent, this showed that this Act which was a tool for
legal empowerment of Dalits, lacked resources for its implementation, he
said.
In the case of Tamil Nadu, The National Commission for Scheduled Castes,
Vice Chairman, N.M. Kamble had highlighted this at a review meeting. Mr.
Mane also said that there have been rampant acts of atrocities in Tamil Nadu
especially the southern districts where two-tumbler system still existed and
access to avail common property resources was prevented for Dalits.
Stating that every State in the country was trying to divide Dalits in the
name of reservation, he said that it was against the Constitution and law.
Citing the Arunthathiyar case in Tamil Nadu, he questioned whether the Tamil
Nadu Government could provide a special quota in the case of castes coming
under Other Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes.
When asked about the Ranganath Mishra Commission Report, Mr. Mane said that
it was a failure on the part of the United Progressive Alliance Government
and Tamil Nadu Government not to provide reservation to Dalit Christians and
Muslims.
On March 15, BSP would be celebrating its Silver Jubilee function at Ramabai
Ambedkar Ground in Lucknow and 250 delegates from Tamil Nadu would be
participating, he said. On the occasion, a documentary film on Kanshi Ram
would be released by the BSP supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister
Mayawati, he said.
As part of the nation-wide membership drive which started on January 16, Ms.
Mayawati would be visiting southern states during April or May.
-
.Arun Khote
On behalf of
Dalits Media Watch Team
(An initiative of "Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre-PMARC")
..................................................................
Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre- PMARC has been initiated with the
support from group of senior journalists, social activists, academics and
intellectuals from Dalit and civil society to advocate and facilitate
Dalits issues in the mainstream media. To create proper & adequate space
with the Dalit perspective in the mainstream media national/ International
on Dalit issues is primary objective of the PMARC.
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