TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Of the many cases pending at the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Commission, a majority of them are dealing with property matters and the service denial in government services.
Speaking to Herald, Commission chairperson Anant Shirvoikar who personally handles cases of the SC and ST community said lack of awareness and unwillingness to talk about issues is the reason behind the rise in cases against the community.
“Last year, the number of cases the commission had to deal with was around 80. This year, we already have over a hundred cases. There has also been an increase in the number of atrocities against the community,” said Shirvoikar.
While many government offices have a reservation for the SC, ST and OBC communities, many are given to the general public. Shirvoikar points to two such cases, one with the Excise department and another at the Animal Husbandry department.
“These are a few departments that have been giving reserved posts to the general public. This is a total violation of the rules and I am trying my level best at clearing the issue up,” he said.
Mundkar cases are common too.
He explains that since most of them are unaware of the documents required in these matters, it becomes challenging as most of these people are mundkars and are only looking to get their share of the land.
Atrocities in the form of name calling and cases of untouchability have also been reported, many of which are still being investigated. Cases reported are investigated by the police after they are placed before the commission. “It is surprising that in this day and age when the concept of untouchability is supposed to be history, there are certain sections of the society that still discriminate the community,” said Shirvoikar.
The delay in action by the police he says is one of the reasons these cases aren’t taken care of in time. The constitution, he points out, has all the necessary rules and regulations that need to be followed, the only thing missing is its implementation.Now that the commission has a permanent location at the Shram Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panjim, Shirvoikar is confident of uplifting the SC and ST community and making them aware of their rights. Notices to all of Goa’s departments asking for reservations given to the community have already been sent out. Shirvoikar on his part is confident of giving his community the justice and due they should be given.
