Cancel fake caste certificates: DSS

The Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samithi (Bheemavada) State convener RMohanraju has said that the government should initiate stringent  action against those who were responsible for issuing fake caste certificates.

Addressing a press meet here on Sunday, he said all the fake caste certificates should be cancelled. Tahsildar, revenue inspectors and village accountants who were responsible for issuing fake caste certificates should be punished and criminal case should be registered against them, for misusing the facilities of the government.

“The fake caste certificates have denied the facilities to the genuine  beneficiaries. As a result, the poor continue to remain poor and the gap between the rich and poor is on rise,” he said.

According to a survey report, there are over three lakh fake caste certificates in Karnataka.

Mohanraju has urged the State government to fill all the backlog vacancies in various government departments. All the loopholes in the system should be rectified and backlog vacancies should be filled at the earliest.

The decision to amend the Constitution to ensure reservation in promotions for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes has been the subject of much scrutiny. The amendment should be implemented by the Centre, he said.

On the one hand, the State government has implemented Right to Education (RTE) Act, which guarantees free and compulsory education for the children between the age group of six and 14.

 On the other hand, the State government has been closing down the government schools citing reasons of poor attendance. “In such a situation, where will the poor students study?”, he asked.

The government should not close down the government schools in rural areas. According to a survey conducted by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan department, there are 68,000 school drop outs in Karnataka.

“It is our duty to bring the children back to school. Any proposal to close down the government school should be dropped in the interest of the poor students,” he said.

He said that the scholarship amount should be increased to Rs 1,200. To a query on Ajalu system which is still in practice, he said that it was an inhuman act and there is a need to create awareness on the same. A meeting of the Koraga community members will be held at Kundapur, on October 28.

Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samithi district convener Keshava said that  the district administration should identify the land for the construction of Ambedkar Bhavan at the earliest. The State government has already released Rs four crore for the purpose.