Latest news with #Caste
The Hindu
4 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
BBMP to accelerate SC survey with additional enumerators in key areas
To fast-track the ongoing Scheduled Caste (SC) survey, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao has instructed officials to deploy additional enumerators in SC-dominated areas, during a meeting held on Tuesday. The BBMP chief stressed the need for quicker completion of the comprehensive survey and directed officials to work closely with community leaders to identify key localities and assign more personnel accordingly. As of Tuesday, the BBMP had appointed 8,215 enumerators across its eight zones. They have visited 1,31,730 SC households and identified 5,11,594 SC individuals. Data has also been collected from over 28 lakh non-SC households. Among all zones, the East zone has recorded the highest number of SC families covered (30,734) and SC members (1,22,494), supported by 1,505 enumerators. The South zone follows closely in general family coverage, reporting 5,65,178 general families. Meanwhile, Yelahanka has the fewest SC families covered (10,422) and the fewest enumerators assigned (537). Mr. Rao said that some people were still hesitant to participate in the survey. In this regard, he emphasised the importance of community leaders' support and urged them to raise awareness among their people about participating in the survey. He added that special camps are being organised by the BBMP to ensure successful completion of the survey.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Caste census not divisive, it will strengthen social justice: Scheduled Caste rights panel chief
Nixing insinuations that caste enumeration would create chasms in society, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairperson Kishor Makwana said the data gathered would serve as a foundation for policy decisions and strengthen social justice. It will help uplift the marginalised backward communities, he told PTI in an interview. With the BJP-led NDA Government deciding to include caste enumeration in the next census, Mr. Makwana welcomed the move, saying that unlike in 2011, 'definite figures would be available' that would ensure proportionate access to welfare schemes. The UPA Government conducted the Socio-Economic and Caste Census in 2011, which was the first attempt since 1931 to collect caste data nationwide. However, the caste data from SECC-2011 was never fully released or utilised. Rejecting concerns that the caste census could lead to sectarian divisions, Mr. Makwana said, 'This will not create any division based on caste. Rather, it will strengthen social justice.' 'It will uplift backward castes and strengthen all three aspects — social, political, and economic — of Babasaheb Ambedkar's dream for the Scheduled Caste community.' The caste census will provide accurate numbers that will serve as a foundation for policy decisions and target beneficiaries of schemes such as the Mudra Yojana in a much better manner, the NCSC chairperson said. 'It will ensure that those who have remained deprived, finally get their due.' Mr. Makwana clarified the NCSC would not be directly involved in the enumeration process but would play a critical role in post-census policy framing. 'We don't have a role in the data collection itself. But after the data is out, the commission will have a role in ensuring the Scheduled Castes get their due share based on proportion. In that sense, this is a major step toward social justice,' he said. Lauding the central Cabinet's decision, the NCSC chairperson said the caste census aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to uplift the last person in society, both socially and economically. 'This decision takes that vision forward. Those who have been left behind will now be empowered,' he said, adding that accurate data would ensure proportionate access to welfare schemes. 'With definite population data, communities will get what they deserve in proportion. Right now, benefits are being given based on estimates. Once we have numbers, proper policy interventions can be made,' he said. Noting that the last caste census was held in 1931 and updated data has been lacking, Mr. Makwana said, 'We've been working on the assumption that SCs form 7 per cent of the population. But without verified data, many deprived sections remain unaccounted for.' 'The new census will bring detailed data, not just for the SCs, but also for sub-castes within Muslim and Christian communities,' he said. Mr. Makwana also criticised political parties that previously opposed the caste census, saying they didn't include caste data in the seven censuses conducted since 1951 because their intentions were not right'. On the Commission's broader activities, the Chairperson said the NCSC has begun conducting State-level hearings, which weren't done earlier. 'We held hearings in Punjab and Rajasthan. We are going among the people. Legal provisions alone won't solve caste-based issues; there has to be a sense of empathy and emotional connection in society as well,' he said. Raising concerns about the condition of Dalits in Punjab, Mr. Makwana said, 'Students are not getting scholarships, many youths have fallen into drug addiction, dropout rates are high, and even government officials are not getting benefits of schemes.'
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Compel Centre to emulate Telangana caste survey model: Rahul
TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Friday TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Friday Photo | Express HYDERABAD: Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday directed AICC spokespersons to highlight the success of the Congress government in conducting a caste survey in Telangana and compel the BJP-led Union government to emulate the process. Rahul reiterated that Telangana's survey is a model for the entire nation in enumeration of castes along with census. The AICC held a training session for its spokespersons on Telangana's Socio-Economic, Caste, Education, Political and Employment Survey, conducted between November 6, 2024, and January 16, 2025. TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud, campaign committee chairman Madhu Yaskhi Goud, and media and communications chairman Sama Rammohan Reddy also attended the meeting. During the session, Mahesh Goud explained the political aspects of the caste survey while senior leader Koppula Raju presented the caste survey statistics. Speaking to TNIE from the national capital, Mahesh Goud said that he had explained how Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra gave inspiration to conduct a caste survey, thereby making it an election promise in the BC Declaration made at Kamareddy. He said that Rahul's promise helped the party consolidate BC votes. He said that based on Rahul's promise and the party's commitment, the Congress government in the state also passed a Bill enhancing BC reservations to 42%. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Mahesh Goud is likely to stay back in Delhi till Saturday to hold key meetings with the party high command. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is also expected to meet the party high command to discuss developments in the party.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Hans India
Collector directs immediate resolution of SC/ST atrocity cases
Nandyal: District Collector G Raja Kumari has instructed the concerned officials to take prompt action for the swift resolution of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) atrocity cases. The directive came during a meeting of the District Vigilance Monitoring Committee held on Tuesday at the PGRS Hall in the Collectorate. Speaking on the occasion, Collector Raja Kumari emphasized the need for continuous monitoring of SC/ST atrocity cases and immediate steps for their resolution. She instructed the Social Welfare Officer to submit detailed reports on the cases to the DVMC members at least one week in advance. Between April 2022 and March 2025, FIRs were registered against 287 individuals, and compensation amounting to Rs. 6.27 crore was disbursed to 471 victims. From April to May 2025, FIRs were registered against 15 persons, and Rs. 45.62 lakh was distributed among 31 victims. Further proposals worth Rs. 1.73 crore related to other cases have been submitted, and compensation will be released to the victims immediately upon fund availability, she added. Members of the Vigilance Monitoring Committee raised concerns about the establishment of cremation grounds in villages. The Collector directed the concerned RDOs and officials to focus on this issue. Currently, employment guarantee scheme funds ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh are allocated for providing facilities in cremation grounds. There is potential to set up amenities such as crematoriums with these funds, and appropriate proposals must be prepared. The Collector also instructed the Social Welfare Department to gather comprehensive data on all SC/ST backlog vacancies across government offices. Collector Raja Kumari assured that adequate facilities, including masks and gloves, will be provided to sanitation workers cleaning drains. She further promised timely payment of their salaries. Joint Collector C Vishnu Charan, Nandyal ASP Mand Javali Alphons, RDOs Vishwanath, Narasimhulu, Arunjyoti, ITDA PO Venkata Shivaprasad, Additional Municipal Commissioner Das, DMHO Venkataramana,Social Welfare Officer Chintamani, District Vigilance Monitoring Committee members and others participated in the meeting.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Indian Express
Principal supervisor, two others accused of using casteist language, abusing assistant teacher, acquitted
A principal supervisor and two others booked for allegedly abusing an assistant teacher using casteist words in 2012 were acquitted by a special court,calling the evidence 'vague' and 'ambiguous'. The complaint was filed by a teacher who worked at the school from 2000 on the post of an assistant teacher, teaching Social Studies and English. She had complained that the accused women, from 2010 till the FIR was filed in 2013, repeatedly insulted her about her caste and used abusive, casteist and derogatory language to insult her. She said that in December 2012 during a teacher's meeting, the principal said that the complainant, who belonged to a Scheduled Caste, got her job only because of reservation and that she was not fit for the job. The complainant said that the supervisor had laughed at these comments. The principal again in March 2013 entered a classroom where the complainant was teaching and abused her, using casteist slurs. In her FIR, the complainant had similarly given instances of abuse by the principal and had filed a complaint under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities)Act, 1989. The complainant also alleged that two other staffers deputing at the school similarly humiliated her in front of other teachers. The lawyer for the accused claimed that the school management had issued notices to the complainant as her conduct during her tenure was not 'appropriate. He had also submitted that saying that someone got a job because of their caste cannot be considered an offence under the Act. The court accepted this contention of the accused.'The said alleged derogatory words are also not specifically clearly coming under the purview of insult and humiliation, just with specific ill-intention to commit the impugned crime,' the court said. The court said that while the complainant had said that she was facing the insults from 2010, she did not approach any authority till 2013. 'It is required to be considered that the complainant has not raised any complaint/objections with any police authority, district magistrate or any one else. But she merely raised and directly raised the written complaint with the SC/ST commission. In that regard, she has not assigned any considerable explanation,' the court said in its order on May 8, raising the issue of delay in filing of the FIR. It also said that the complainant's statement does not find corroboration in other evidence. It also said that the prosecution had not taken any steps to comply with verification of the caste certificate of the complainant.
