Punia in state, hears caste cases

Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) PL Punia on Thursday arrived here on a two-day visit of the State for public hearing on inclusion and deletion of castes in the Central list from November 1.

 The Commission had a day-long hearing of people from 18 sub-castes who have been demanding inclusion of their groups in the scheduled categories.

 Representatives of Gaudia Kela, Adhuria Damada, Adhuria Dom, Rajak, Rajaka, Betara, Patratanti, Bariki, Kummari, Khadal, Khodal, Khadola, Chik, Chik Badalik, Situria, Jayanta Pano, Jena Pano and Paundara Pod met the commission and pleaded for Scheduled Caste status.

 The Commission heard grievances of different service associations and NGOs at the State Guest House in the evening. A few NGOs from Jagatsinghpur district raised the anti-dalit remarks of Health and Family Welfare Minister Damodar Rout and demanded action against him. They also expressed concern over the increasing atrocities against women belonging to the scheduled categories with specific reference to Babina Behera, a victim of alleged gangrape.

 The Commission held a meeting with public representatives, including sitting and formers MLAs and MPs. The Commission is scheduled to hold a meeting with senior officials of the State Government followed by a press meet on Friday.