Committee for filling backlog posts in govt

Chairman of Legislative Committee for SC/ST Welfare M Chandrappa said the prohibition by the finance ministry on 26,000 backlog vacancies in various departments would be lifted and recruitment resumed to fill the posts by August 31.

Speaking to media persons here on Saturday, he said a recommendation in this regard has been forwarded to the government. If the government does not fill up the vacancies, a criminal case would be registered against it, he added.

He alleged that the forest department officials have been inhuman in committing atrocity against tribal people. “According to Forest Rights Act, tribal people should be allowed to make use of minor forest produce for their livlihood and forest officials should not take severe action against them, such as firing at them. The officials can only question them, if they are abiding by law. The officials have been directed not to restrict tribals from fishing, collecting fruits, honey and other produce,” he said.

Chandrappa announced that Rs t7,500 crore has been reserved for SC and ST welfare programmes and urged the people to make use of the benefits. He said recommendations would be forwarded to the government for many other appropriate packages for the tribals.

Emphasising on harmony between tribal people and forest officials, he said there should be equal cooperation from both sides and both the parties should try to make adjustments under peculiar situations and strive for mutual peace. He said criminal cases would be registered against officials who treat tribal people inhumanly. Committee members Siddaraju, Puttarangashetty, Veeraiah and Ambarish were present.

Action against RFO, guards

Chairman of the Legislative Committee for SC/ST Welfare M Chandrappa said he has recommended for suspension of forest guards Govind and Makbul on charges of atrocity on tribal people and a transfer for Metikuppe range forest officer Santhosh Nayak for not taking action against the guards.

He said the forest department personnel have been inhuman in committing atrocity against tribal people at Hunasekuppe and G M Hadi hamlets in Hunsur taluk, in the district. The cases have come to light when we investigated into the allegations by tribal people when we toured the hadis, he added.