The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is all set to give the Mayawati government a “taxing” time in the New Year.
NCSC chairman P.L. Punia, who is organising dalit camps in Uttar Pradesh to create awareness among dalits about their rights, is giving out information that may ultimately make the state government pay a heavy price — almost literally.
Mr Punia, during a recent camp in Azamgarh, released a book that details the monetary benefits the dalits are entitled to from the government in event of atrocities being heaped on them.
Mr Punia listed 22 matters in which the state government ought to pay a sum of `25,000 to `1 lakh to the aggrieved party (dalit) and take immediate action against the offender.
“In case a dalit is prevented form casting his vote, the state government will have to pay a compensation of `25,000 and if anyone prevents a dalit from drawing water form a water body, the state government is required to pay `1 lakh as compensation and take stern action against the offender,” he said.
The NCSC chairman further said that the Mayawati government, which claimed to be a pro-dalit government — had not paid compensation to any dalit in these 22 matters listed in the guidelines.
“The UP chief minister is only giving ministerial positions to people close to her while the common dalit has not reaped any benefit in the regime and this is evident from the fact that the NCSC receives maximum complaints of dalit atrocities from UP,” he said.
Mr Punia further warned that officers who work against the interests of Dalits would be identified and termed “anti-dalit”.
“If they are identified as being anti-dalit, they would be barred from proceeding on central deputation,” he declared.
Former BSP MP Balihari Babu also echoed similar sentiments when he said that this was a shocking truth and the Mayawati government had not done anything for the dalit community at large.
Meanwhile, talking to this correspondent on condition of anonymity, a senior government official said that if the NCSC chairman continued his campaign, the state government could have to empty its coffers in providing compensation to dalits.
“It is a fact that we were not aware of these provisions and neither had anyone made claims under these guidelines. Punia seems to have opened floodgates on the issue and we will have a tough time paying compensation if the demands come in. In fact, our entire fiscal planning will go for a toss if we start paying compensation to dalits in such matters,” the officer said.