[Via NCDHR]
17 December, 2013.
Dalit and Adivasi Activists were arrested today in Parliament Street for reclaiming the rightful share of the Dalits and the Adivasis.
‘Stop betraying Dalit & Adivasis. We will not tolerate this injustice. We demand immediate passing of SCP TSP Legislation & SC ST POA Amendment Bill’
Hundreds of Dalits & Adivasi rights champions from all over India stormed the capital demanding their share and asked to take immediate action on SCP TSP Legislation & SC ST POA Amendment Act by tabling the bill in the ongoing parliament session.
A high powered delegation led by Paul Divakar, National Convener, National Coalition on SCSP /TSP Legislation met the Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Union Cabinet Minister for Tribal Affairs & Panchayati Raj Kishore Chandra Deo, Minister for Social justice and Empowerment Ms Kumari Selja to discuss in detail, the SCP TSP budget and according to the Coalition leaders, the Ministers assured they would bring in the bill for the Central legislation during the ongoing winter session of the Parliament.
Mr Rahul Gandhi reiterated commitment of the Congress party to the concerns of Dalits and Adivasi community in India and added that the party has created a structure which will enable the SC/ST community to place their demands and concerns in the policy making process of the nation. But to the utter dismay none of these promises were kept by the UPA. Dalits & Adivasi leaders voiced out their disappointment and anger and said ‘enough is enough! don’t betray us, we will no longer remain silent! ‘.
There was a week long protest at Jantar Mantar from 5 Dec 2013- 10 Dec 2013 for introducing the SCP/TSP Bill and thousands of Dalits and Adivais very strongly put forwarded their demand. The Bill, if passed by the UPA Government will be one significant step to end the injustice of diversions, non-allocation and lapses of crores of rupees meant to bridge the gap between the SCs and STs as compared to the socially advanced groups.
Dalit and Adivasi groups across the country have been campaigning for this bill for several years now and have worked tirelessly to build pressure on the UPA Government to ensure that the Central legislation is introduced in the winter session of Parliament. Dalit and Adivasi women have insisted that this legislation will not bridge the severe development gaps, unless it includes special allocations, provisions for stringent monitoring mechanisms and adequate representation in the planning and implementation of the schemes with strong gender perspective.
~ National Coalition on SCP/TSP Legislation.
For Further Details Please Contact:
Beena Pallical ~ beena@ncdhr.org.in
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