GUWAHATI, May 4 � The Anususit Jati Mahasabha, Assam today alleged that the Directorate for the Scheduled Caste has become the den of corrupt officials who have deprived the scheduled caste community of its legitimate dues.
Addressing mediapersons here, the Mahasabha said based on reports of widespread fund anomalies, it had sought certain information under the Right to Information Act (RTI) from the directorate for which the directorate demanded Rs 5,20,360 from the Mahasabha. �We are surprised that the directorate asked us to submit such a huge amount of money. The information that we sought would have just taken two or three pages. We are bound to conclude that the directorate asked such a large amount only to discourage us from pursuing the matter,� said CK Bhagawati, president of the Mahasabha.
Under the RTI Act, the Mahasabha had sought information regarding the annual Central Government grant for scheduled castes, among other queries.
�We got information only about the funds allotted to schools and colleges that have 50 per cent scheduled caste students. We are still waiting for the information regarding our other questions,� said Bhagawati, adding that in the allotment of funds to schools and colleges, there was rampant corruption.
�Many colleges have been given lakhs and lakhs of rupees, but these colleges do not have the requisite percentage of scheduled caste students,� alleged Bhagawati, citing the case of Jorsimuli High School which has received Rs 1 lakh. This school is located in a very interior place in Chhaygaon and dominated by the Muslim community. �There is not even a single scheduled caste student in this school,� said Bhagawati. As per the rules, 50 per cent presence of scheduled caste students is mandatory for receiving the Central Government grant.
On the other hand, the Mahasabha regretted that the Government was not concerned about the grievances of the scheduled caste people. It pointed out that in the BTC area, there were around 4.5 lakh scheduled caste people but there was no reservation for them.
The Mahasabha has demanded reservation for the scheduled caste people in all the autonomous council areas.