Bhadrak: Deprived of land pattas, poor people of scheduled caste-dominated Jenasahi village in this district have been facing a lot of problems while their wards fail to get government benefits, proper education and jobs in the absence of caste certificates.
Locals said caste certificates are necessary for students to avail government benefits like stipends, free bicycles and even jobs in reservation category, but the administration has neglecting them in providing them caste certificates.
The government has a number of schemes for SC category people, but furnishing SC certificates is mandatory to avail the benefits of such schemes.
The villagers alleged they have not been provided patta for the land where they have been living for four generations.
Educated youths of the village face problems when it comes to getting jobs in reservation category.
The villagers had earlier protested in front of the collectorate and even had staged a hunger strike to press for land pattas and caste certificates, but to no avail.
They said they have become exhausted, both physically and financially, by frequenting the tehsil office for certificates.
Narrating his plight, Suraj Jena said, “My son Prashant completed ITI without availing government benefits. Stipend is provided to SC students, but he was deprived of the benefit, because he has no caste SC certificate. Now, he finds it difficult it to get a job in the reservation category.”
Despite poverty, Suraj still bears the education cost of her daughter Subhadra Jena, who is pursuing Plus-II. Stipend is not available to her for the same reason.
Sanstha Jena, another villager, said, “We have been living here for four generations. The administration has not yet given us land pattas.
Our children do not get jobs despite being in the reservation category.”
Ananada Jena’s son completed Plus-II, but did not get a government job and had no way but to work in private sector in Kerala.
Differently abled Basanti Jena avails of pension for disability and ration card, but has been deprived of housing benefit under the Indira Awas Yojana, as she doesn’t have land patta.
“We have been victims of official neglect and have to lead miserable lives. Poor people of our village are unable to finance the studies of their wards. As a result, the children have to drop their studies,” Subhadra Jena said.
Tehsildar Gadadhar Bal said, “I am aware of the problem. I will make provision of caste certificates to educated students. But in case of land pattas, we can work by following government rules.” PNN
