A forum of Dalit organisations – Dalit Sanghatanegala Okkoota – has organised a convention in Bengaluru on February 25 to put forward several demands including the effective implementation of reservation in promotions for government officials and the appointment of the chairman for the SC/ST Commission.
M. Venkataswamy, president of the forum, at a press conference here on Friday, said the State had agreed to bring back reservation for SC and ST in promotions following protests.
However, even after the Cabinet gave its consent, the secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms has not issued an order in this regard. “More than 3,900 officials were demoted when the reservation in promotion was withdrawn. Among them, seven died even as the fight was on. We are opposing the delay,” he said.
He also took objection to the delay in appointing a chairman to the SC/ST Commission. “The commission was meant for addressing complaints related to castes that fall under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The government should appoint a suitable person for the commission. The convention would raise these issues,” he said, appealing to the public to participate in the programme.
Y.S. Deur of Bhima Dal, Muni Anjinappa of Praja Vimochana Chalavali, R. Keshavamurthy of Ambedkar Dalit Sene and others were present.
