The tribal people from Jaunsar-Bawar region submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate SA Murugeshan on Wednesday, seeking strict action against the people enjoying the benefits of Schedule Tribe (ST) with fake identification certificates.
They said that the administration sitting on the serious matter is emboldening them further. These people are even managing government jobs on the basis of the fake identification, they said.
Talking to the media persons after they submitted the memorandum to the DM, Gambhir Singh Chauhan, member of Jaunsar-Bawar Mahasabha (JBM), said, “We demand the DM to take strict action against the people who are fraudulently enjoying the benefits we are entitled to. The official apathy is unfortunate. Even after the fraud is detected and the people are identified they are doing nothing. People following the culture, rituals and traditions in vogue in the region for years are the real Jaunsaris. Those who are not from our tribe have no right to enjoy the benefits meant for us. As per our estimate, three to four thousand people have been enjoying benefits they are not entitled to. If the official apathy continues we would stage a protest rally.”
He further invoked the order of the Supreme Court, saying that quota rights are state-specific. “This is meant to ensure that the people belonging to the ST or SC status are empowered in the state they are from. And now we are under threat of being swamped in our own region,” said Chauhan.
Chauhan further said, “Even after a committee was formed things continue as some people are still securing ST certificates fraudulently to secure government jobs.
These certificates must be annulled in no time. Besides, strict action should be taken against those who are working in the government departments under fake ST identification.” Speaking of the matter, DM said, “We have heard out their grievances. We will look into the matter and further steps will be taken accordingly.”