Jaipur 14th September, 2012

The Commission had requested Shri K.B. Saxena, a retired IAS Officer to study the problems of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and to suggest ways for giving them their rightful place in the society. Shri Saxena submitted a detailed report. In pursuance of the suggestion made by him we are visiting various States to have a first hand knowledge of the ground reality in regard to the problems of the SCs and STs.
We received 114 complaints from Rajasthan. In almost all the cases, the State Government submitted reports. For its quick response the State Governments deserves appreciation.
The complaints which we received from Rajasthan were taken up on 13th September, 2012 for disposal. The complainants and the concerned authorities were heard in person. 89 cases were closed after hearing. The complaints raised various issues like land grabbing by upper castes, partisan and indifferent attitude of police, discrimination against SC children in schools, non-involvement of NGOs in the implementation of various socio-economic programmes of the Government and untouchability in different forms etc.
During the hearing of the cases, the Commission observed that in most cases of land grabbing, the administration does not act with the alacrity which is expected of it. The Commission also observed that the police also do not act with the care and sensitivity which should characterize investigations.
The Commission had a meeting with NGOs this morning. The NGOs also raised several issues. All these issues were taken up with officers of the State Government at a session which was later in the day. The State Government was apprised of the problems which came to the notice of the Commission and we have been assured by the State Government that all these issues shall be taken care of.
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