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Monday, November 28, 2011

[ZESTCaste] Plan commission pushes for Dalit empowerment

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Plan-commission-pushes-for-Dalit-empowerment/Article1-774848.aspx

Plan commission pushes for Dalit empowerment
Prasad Nichenametla, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, November 27, 2011

As the Congress scion Rahul Gandhi campaigns in Mayawati' s bastion
asking UP's downtrodden to think big, a planning commission panel has
shown the UPA government how to walk the talk.
A working group on welfare of the Schedule Castes (SCs) has asked the
government to set up a
National Bank for Inclusive Development to support businessmen from
the backward sections.

The move is to encourage Dalits and other weaker sections with
entrepreneurial skills to realise their business potential rather than
depend on reservations or other government doles.

The initiative will come at a price tag of Rs 2,000 crore, proposed as
a share capital from the government. The 12th plan working group
mentioned no upper limit, but loans could be up to or more than Rs 1
crore. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/HTEditImages/Images/28-11-pg08a.jpg

The government might act a guarantor for such loans to build medium to
large-scale enterprises - an area where Dalits foothold is said to be
minimal.

The panel also recommended financial assistance to one lakh SC youth
for acquiring land/ built up space to set up industries etc.

The move would mark advancement from the present support to Dalits
limited to setting up of small businesses like a retail store or
self-help avenues like sheep or sewing machines.

It is also based on reports that flow of credit to SCs through banks
is not commensurate with their population and requirement.

There are an estimated 19.5 crore SCs in the country forming over 16%
of total population. At present, the National Scheduled Castes Finance
and Development Corporation established two decades back, provides
loans for income activities but is limited to SCs living below double
the poverty line.

"Development paradigm from 12th plan should be such that the SCs do
not remain passive recipients of schemes … the goal is to empower SCs
to participate in society and nation building on an equal basis with
others," the group headed by secretary, ministry of social justice and
empowerment with other department and state secretaries said.

The report setting the road map for SC empowerment in next five years,
also recommended that all surplus government land be allotted to
landless among the SC, STs and other priority groups.

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[ZESTCaste] Dalits, backwards must unite toensure BSP's win, says Maya

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Dalits-backwards-must-unite-toensure-BSPs-win-says-Maya/articleshow/10898304.cms

Dalits, backwards must unite toensure BSP's win, says Maya
Ashish Tripathi, TNN | Nov 28, 2011, 02.09AM IST

LUCKNOW: Recognising caste realities in UP politics, chief minister
and BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday sounded the election bugle, exhorting
Dalits and backwards to bury differences and join hands to bring the
party back to power in 2012. She denied allegation of promoting her
family and accused rivals of harbouring anti-dalit mindset.

"Even if you (Dalit and backwards) don't want to have 'roti our beti
ka rishta' but the master key to socio-economic and political
empowerment is political power, which can be grabbed only when Dalits
and backward are united," said Mayawati while addressing a gathering
of over two lakhs at a Dalit-backward convention. The message was loud
and clear: though Dalits and backwards don't have social ties when it
comes to sharing food, or having matrimonial ties, they must unite to
vote BSP to power and ensure their uplift.

Quoting Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, Mayawati said that the
socio-economic status of Dalits and backwards, who have been
suppressed for ages, is almost the same in the entire country. "It is
because of the Constitutional provisions made by Babasaheb, Dalits and
backwards are getting reservation benefit," the BSP chief said.

Significantly, at Brahmin convention on November 13, Maya had tried to
cash in on age-old rivalry between Brahmins and Thakurs by claiming
that Congress and BJP would make a Thakur chief minister if voted to
power, whereas now she wants Dalits and backwards to forget rivalry
inherited from ancestors and remain united.

Keeping caste equations in mind, Maya said that the focus of her
government has been on Dalits and backwards. "I have asked Centre for
scheduled caste status to 13 backward classes including Kewat, Kahar,
Kashyap, Mallah, Nishad, Lonia, Kumhar, Dheevar, Bind, Machhiara,
Lohia-Chauhan, Nonia and Dhangar," she said.

The BSP chief even went on to say that for development of Dalits and
backwards, it is necessary for UP to have a Dalit or a backward as
chief minister (CM). Hinting that in case she moves to Centre, a Dalit
or a backward will get chief ministership, she also assured that if UP
is divided into four states, the CM post will be got to Dalits and
backwards.

A combination of Dalits, backwards, Muslims and Brahmins helped BSP
grab power with absolute majority in 2007. Dalits constitute 21% of
UP's population, backward are about 29%, Muslim 20%, Brahmins 12%,
Thakurs 8% and other castes 10%. Among backward classes, most backward
such as Nishad, Rajbhar etc constitute 60%.

Out of 403 assembly seats in UP, Dalits play crucial role in 35%
seats, backwards in 30%, Muslims in 15% and upper castes in 20%.
Post-Mandal, the SP used to get lion's share of backward votes but
Yadav dominance has gradually alienated non-Yadav backwards from the
party. Mayawati has grabbed these non-Yadavs backwards.

Maya also said "Election can take place in UP anytime and I want BSP
workers to pull up their socks." Claiming that Congress, BJP and SP
have entered into tacit understanding, she claimed that these parties
might bring Dalit and backward face to woo voters in elections but
real power will be in the hands of anti-dalit forces.

The BSP chief also assured that she would distribute tickets for
assembly elections keeping in mind the contribution of various castes
and classes in building BSP movement. She announced that on December
18, BSP would hold a convention for Muslims, Thakur and Vaishya
communities.

Training her guns at opposition parties, Maya described the previous
Samajwadi Party rule in UP as 'Goonda raj' and BJP rule as 'communal'.
She said that SP and BJP survived on polarization of votes on communal
and caste lines. However, the better part of her speech was devoted to
Congress-bashing and highlighting work done by her government.

Maya rebutted allegations of corruption in implementation of MNREGA
but also recognized the importance of the scheme for the poor. She
said that she has taken action wherever anomalies in MNREGA were
reported. She also added that the MNREGA is not Congress's property as
it was passed with the support of all the parties.

Further, while exhibiting her prime ministerial ambitions again, UP
chief minister said that whenever BSP would form the government at the
Centre, it would amend the MNREGA to provide employment round-the-year
and not 100 days as per the existing provisions. "100 days employment
in a year is not enough for poor," she added.

Mayawati also accused Congress leaders of misleading people on the
MNREGA issue. "Instead of releasing the funds for MNREGA twice a year
- April and September - as per the rules, the Centre gives fund to UP
at the end of financial year, making it difficult for the state
government to implement the scheme," she claimed, accusing the Central
government of giving more funds to Congress-ruled states.

Scoffing at Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's promise that if
voted to power, Congress would transform UP into a developed state in
10 years, the BSP chief said that the Congress ruled UP for over 40
years after independence but did little for the state, resulting in
large-scale migration of people to other states for livelihood.

"The migrants are today being ill-treated and exploited, particularly
in Congress-ruled states. And, Congress's 'yuvraj' ( Rahul Gandhi)
calls them beggar, which is an insult to entire UP," she said. Denying
Rahul's allegations of being casetist, she pointed out that she had
asked for quota benefit for poor among upper castes and Muslims.

Responding to Rahul's remark "An elephant (BSP's election symbol) is
eating money sent by Centre for UP's development", Maya retorted that
the "Congress is having nightmares of elephant trampling all over
them. The panic in Congress can be gauged from the fact that Rahul
skipped Parliament session for touring UP."

Reacting to allegations that she had been promoting her family,
Mayawati said that inspired by her mentor, BSP founder Kanshiram, she
has taken pledge not to marry and serve the people. "My association
with my parents and family will end the day they will ask ticket to
contest election or seek ministership," she said.

Accusing UPA government of misusing the CBI, Maya said that the agency
has been pursuing 'fabricated" disproportionate assets case against
her but has done little in foodgrain scam under SP rule. "National
Commissions have been hyperactive in UP, overlooking atrocities on
Dalits and women in Congress-ruled states," she said.

Justifying her move to split UP, Maya said "The ball is now in
Centre's court." She also said that she has taken action against her
party leaders caught in corruption and criminal cases, whereas
Congress and BJP have been reluctant in doing so in the states ruled
by them.

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[ZESTCaste] Mayawati plays caste card to the hilt

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2665286.ece

Lucknow, November 27, 2011
Mayawati plays caste card to the hilt
Atiq Khan

The Congress and its general secretary Rahul Gandhi again topped Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's agenda on Sunday. She alleged that
the party had given a raw deal to Dalits and OBCs in the country in
general, and Uttar Pradesh in particular. She charged Mr. Gandhi with
"misleading the people" on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Ms. Mayawati was addressing a Dalit/OBCs BSP workers' convention at
the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan here. It also marked the formal launch of
the Bahujan Samaj Party's campaign for the next year Assembly polls.

Playing the caste card to the hilt, the Chief Minister claimed that
the interests of Dalits and the OBCs were best served under her
party's rule.

The Chief Minister of the State would either be a Dalit or an OBC
"till their socio-economic and educational status fully improved."
"Members of the 'sarv samaj' [Muslims and upper castes] would have to
wait for 15 to 20 years, but the waiting period can be shortened if
the BSP comes to power at the Centre," she said.

During her 65-minute address, she only made a passing reference to the
Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Congress ruled Uttar Pradesh and the Centre for 40 years. Yet in
these four decades, the State was pushed backwards and Dalits and the
OBCs were forced to migrate to other States in search of livelihood.
"This segment of society was exploited in the Congress-ruled States,"
she said.

The Chief Minister slammed Mr. Gandhi for his "beggar" remark. "It is
an insult to the people of the State and is highly objectionable."

(At a rally in Phulpur, Mr. Gandhi had said: "People of Uttar Pradesh
are appreciated for their hard work, wherever they go in search of
job....How long will you beg in Maharashtra [for work]? How long will
you work as labourer in Punjab?")

Mr. Gandhi's statement at his recent road show in the State that U.P.
would be the number one State if the Congress is voted to power in the
Assembly polls also came in for criticism by Ms. Mayawati. Dismissing
it as "hawaai bayanbaazi" (hollow statement), she said: "If U.P. could
not become the number one State in the four decades of Congress rule,
how can it become one in 10 years."

On the MGNREGS, she said the Congress was behaving as though the rural
job scheme belonged to it, notwithstanding the fact that it was
implemented under a Central government Act. Funds allotted to the
States were derived from the tax revenue of the States, she noted.

'Jobs all through year'

If the BSP formed a government at the Centre, changes would be brought
in the MGNREGS wherein rural jobless people would be given employment
all the 365 days in a year, she claimed.

Ms. Mayawati referred to her spinster status, saying she did not marry
in the interests of the BSP.

Next on Mayawati's agenda is a Muslim, Kshatriya and Vaish BSP
workers' convention at the same venue on December 18.

------------------------------------

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[ZESTCaste] Dalit activists complainof delay in investigation

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/article2667747.ece

MANGALORE, November 28, 2011
Dalit activists complainof delay in investigation
Staff Correspondent

Representatives of Dalit organisations on Sunday expressed their
displeasure over the delay by the police in investigating their
complaints.

"We have not come here to just have tea and biscuits. We want our
grievances addressed properly and in a time-bound manner. We can't be
asking the same questions every time," Shekar, an activist, said at a
meeting at the office of the Police Commissioner to hear grievances of
the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Mr. Suresh was referring to the delay by the Konaje police in tracing
40-year-old Sunita who has been missing for 90 days. Although the
police had been informed about the person, who had allegedly taken
away the woman, action had not been taken to arrest him and trace
Sunita.

The jurisdictional police officer said the police had watched the
movement of the person accused of taking away Sunita.

"But there is something else to this incident. We are investigating
into it," the official said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Mutturaya and other
police officers participated in the meeting.

Another activist said the Mulky police were yet to take action against
persons involved in harassing Sajini although the case was reported in
September.

The perpetrators, including a former Mayor, had continued to harass
the complainants and denied them water, electricity, and other basic
facilities. "I do not know how police is sitting silent on this
issue," he said.

Mr. Mutturaya said he would shortly call the Assistant Commissioner of
Police, who was on leave and take action. "There is no question of
buckling under pressure," he said.

Sukumar from Shaktinagar complained about attempts being made in their
locality by some Bajrang Dal activists to convert Dalits into
Hinduism. He complained about nuisance caused by a bar in the locality
that was kept open beyond 11 p.m.

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[ZESTCaste] Scavenging rocks grievance meet

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/article2667614.ece

MANGALORE, November 28, 2011
Scavenging rocks grievance meet

Dalit factions say the practice continues despite the ban in Dakshina Kannada

Various factions of the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) on Sunday
alleged at a meeting called to hear grievances of the Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes at the Police Commissioner's office that the
practice of manual scavenging had continued in the city despite the
ban.

DSS (Bheemavada) activist P. Keshav said 30 people were engaged in
manual scavenging on contract basis.

"These people have to enter the tank and clear the blocks as the
machines used by the Mangalore City Corporation only suck out the
liquid." He said these workers worked without any protective gear and
were paid a meagre sum.

"In the event of accident, the corporation washes off its hands saying
they are not its workers." Mr. Keshav said services of these workers
should be made permanent. DSS (Ambedkarwada) District Convener S.P.
Anand said there were only two machines available with the corporation
for clearing septic tanks. Of the two, only one was working, he said.

Corporation Commissioner Harish Kumar toldThe Hinduthat there were
three machines used for cleaning sceptic tanks and all three were in
working condition. Mr. Kumar said there was no question of allowing
manual scavenging in the city. "I held a meeting of officials and
reiterated the Government's policy of using machines for cleaning
septic tanks."

On Friday's incident, in which a corporation contractor had allegedly
employed a person for cleaning a septic tank on Azizuddin Road, Mr.
Kumar said show-cause notice had been issued to the Executive
Engineer, the Assistant Executive Engineer, and the Junior Engineer.
Based on their reply and the factual report by the Joint Commissioner,
he would take disciplinary action against the officials. He would send
a separate report to the Deputy Commissioner in the next three days.

Their inquiry would be separately carried out in addition to the one
being done by the police, Mr. Kumar said. Deputy Commissioner N.S.
Channappa Gowda rejected the demand for regularising the services of
the 30 workers who cleaned the septic tanks. "That is a banned
practice and we cannot make them permanent. But the Government is
ready to help them if these people want to take up any other
occupation to earn their living," he toldThe Hindu.

------------------------------------

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Monday, November 28, 2011

[ZESTCaste] Plan commission pushes for Dalit empowerment

[ZESTCaste] Dalits, backwards must unite toensure BSP's win, says Maya

[ZESTCaste] Mayawati plays caste card to the hilt

[ZESTCaste] Dalit activists complainof delay in investigation

[ZESTCaste] Scavenging rocks grievance meet

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