New Delhi, Nov 17: There is no data with the Centre related to instances of ostracisation or discrimination against persons based on their caste in village panchayats.
Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Pursuttom Rupala made the above revelation in the Lok Sabha Thursday while replying to BJD MP from Dhenkanal Tathagata Satpathy who had asked if the Centre maintains records of cases relating to caste discrimination at panchayats.
Rupala in a written reply said, “Details of the actual participation of SCs, STs and OBCs or members of different castes in states are not maintained by the ministry. Article 243D (6) provides for discretionary provision for states to legislate for reservation of seats and offices in the panchayats in favour of backward class citizens. The mandatory provision for reservation of seats and offices in panchayats for SCs and STs has been fulfilled by all the states and UTs.”
He also added that details about alleged instances of ostracisation or discrimination in states against SCs, STs and OBCs are not maintained centrally by the ministry and said respective states are competent to take appropriate action in such cases.
Satpathy had asked, “Will the minister of Panchayati Raj be pleased to state whether the details of participation of members of different castes in panchayats is available with the Union government and whether there have been any reported instances of ostracisation or discrimination against persons based on their caste in village panchayats ?”
The MP also asked the Centre to explain to the House if the government has been taking any steps regarding the same to check it.
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