'Lift time limit for receiving applications from SC/STs'

Dalit leaders said that there should be no time limit for receiving applications from the beneficiaries of Ambedkar Corporation, to avail the beneficiary programmes. The time limit has resulted in denial of several benefits to the beneficiaries.

Speaking at the monthly SC/ST meeting here at the office of Superintendent of Police on Sunday, Dalit Sangharsha Samithi leader S P Anand said that the beneficiary programmes of the Ambedkar Corporation are not reaching the real beneficiaries. Loan facilities for self-employment is given only three months in a year. The loan facility should be given by the Corporation round the year, to bring poor Dalit families to the mainstream of the society.

The 22.75 per cent fund earmarked for the welfare of SC/ST beneficiaries in urban local bodies in the district are for other purposes. The Dalit colony should have minimun of 15 houses belonging to Dalits. However, many a time, a colony with one or two houses of Dalits are considered as Dalit colony and 22.75 per cent fund is earmarked for such colonies, he alleged.

He said out of 22.75 per cent funds, 60 per cent of the amount should be earmarked for the higher education of the students belonging to SC/ST. However, none of the local bodies are implementing it effectively.

Gopala Kadumata said the official from Ambedkar Corporation and Social welfare department should attend the SC/ST meeting, to which, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal promised to write to the officials concerned.

Vishwanath from Bantwal alleged that the Sub Inspectors hailing from Dalit community are not given the task of maintaining law and order in the district.

Refuting the charges, the SP said that additional responsibilities have been given to Dalit officers in four police stations in the district.  ASP M N Anucheth was present.