Balangir tribal body threatens stir on fake certificate issue SATURDAY, 01 OCTOBER 2011 14:09 SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR HITS: 17

Balangir tribal body threatens stir on fake certificate issue
SATURDAY, 01 OCTOBER 2011 14:09 SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR HITS: 17
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Protesting against the alleged inaction of the Government in taking swift action against the fake tribal caste certificate holders, who are undeservingly enjoying the benefits meant for tribals, Paschim Odisha Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangh has threatened to gherao Rajbhavan on January 28, 2012.

A resolution to this effect was adopted in the recent general body meeting of the Sangh held at Balangir on September 25. The meeting was attended by representatives of Sonepur, Balangir, Nuapada, Debagarh and others districts of western Odisha, where in Executive Engineer, RWSS, Manohar Nayak, was the chief guest.

Since the last four years, the tribals are submitting memorandums to the District Collectors, the Chief Secretary, the Chief Minister and others to take immediate action against fake caste certificate holders. They had gheroed the district collectriate of Balangir to press for their demands here.

However, the Government has failed to take prompt action in fulfilling the genuine demands of the tribals, besides action against the fake caste certificate holders.

The SC/ST Development Department (SSD) has remained a mute spectator and the Chief Minister has also not shown any urgency in solving the problems of tribals, said Secretary General of the Mahasangh Niranjan Bisi.

As the Governor of Odisha is the constitutional authority and protector of tribal rights, we believe his intervention would bring swift justice to tribals. Hence, to seek his intervention, we are going to gherao the Governor House on January 28, 2012, warned Bisi.

The adivasi body submitted a total list of 352 fake caste certificate holders in Balangir district. Out of the 352 cases, the Vigilance has inquired and submitted report on 189 cases to the State Vigilance cell. Out of the 352cases, only 16 have been dismissed and at least three employees have obtained stay and are continuing with their job, Bisi informed further. It is the duty and responsibility of the Government to vacate the stay and give them prompt punishment as they are enjoying the benefits of tribals fraudulently. Criminal proceeding should start against them besides recovering the financial benefits from them, Bisi demanded. In Sonepur district, out of the 152 complaints submitted, inquiry report has been submitted in 90cases and only in 12 cases, final order has been passed.

Same is the case in Baragarh, where out of the 204 cases, only in three cases, final order has been passed .In Boudh, 178 cases have been submitted. Similarly in Kalhandi, 88cases of fake caste certificate holders have been submitted, Bisi pointed out further.

While in Nawrangpur, 304 cases of fake caste certificates have been submitted, in Sambalputr, 8 cases have been submitted. The highest number of cases submitted in Kondhmaal is 898, Bisi said.

The Adivasi forum also condemned the brutal killing of MLA Jagabandu Majhi and demanded CBI inquiry into it.

It also criticised the apathetic attitude of tribal welfare Minister Lal Behari Himirika in solving the problems of the tribals. Besides emphasising the preservation Adivasi culture, the outfit demanded better amenities in tribal villages. Among others, Bharatchandra Kishan, JogindraBhoi, Braj Kishore Sing Bhoi, Satyanarayn Bhoi attended the meet.
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