The National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC) on Tuesday came down heavily on the State Government over the recent palm-chopping of two labourers in Kalahandi district and said the unfortunate incident was an outcome of the State’s failure to implement the MGNREGA Act. NCSC Chairman Pl Punia told reporters after visiting the two dalit victims that the State Government, the district administration and the police have utterly failed to handle the palm chopping case.
There was delay in investigation causing the mishap, he alleged, adding that the NCSC would conduct hearing on the matter to give justice to the victims, he said. As the State Government failed to properly implement the MGNREGA meant to provide jobs to people in their localities, they are forced to migrate in search of work to other States, Punia said. Referring to another incident on December 31 where four dalit youths were arrested under charge of sedition for demonstrating and showing black flag during the visit of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Punia said, “It is an unfortunate incident in democracy. Sedition charge for demonstration is against the spirit of the democracy.” The NCSC would certainly look into the matter, he said. later, Punia addressed a meeting of dalits at Balipada village and laid foundation of an Ambedkar Bhawan there.