Families of slain Dalits rehabilitated, NHRC told

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 6. The Andhra Pradesh Government has provided cash assistance and rehabilitation measures to the families of six dalits in Timmarao Gudem village in West Godavari, who were murdered on September 1, 1999.

This information was furnished by the Government of India to the National Human Rights Commission, before which a petition was filed by a social activist seeking relief measures to the families of the victims.

Moved at the plight of the families, Dr. P. Pullarao of Polavaram, West Godavari, drew the attention of the NHRC to this incident and pleaded for directions to the authorities concerned that necessary action be taken to rehabilitate them.

The NHRC ordered notice to the Union Ministry of Social Justice, which sought a report from the Andhra Pradesh Government on the steps taken to rehabilitate the families.

The State Government informed the Centre that an ex gratia amount Rs. 10,000 each was given to the next heir of the deceased families under the national family benefit scheme on September 29, 1999.

Further, Indira Awas Yojana houses had been sanctioned to the widows, who did not possess a house of their own; the children had been given admission in social welfare hostels with a request that they be put in residential schools after they reach class VI and the women had also been sanctioned widow pension.

The report said that the requests for providing agricultural land and sanction of milch animals and financial assistance of kirana shop were under the active consideration of the Government.

A Joint Director from the office of the Commissioner of Social Welfare visited the village on November 23, 1999 along with the local officials and held detailed discussions with the families of the victims on the type of assistance that could be provided.

The West Godavari District Collector had been instructed to finalise the rehabilitation package on priority, the report added.

The Centre informed the NHRC on the steps taken by the State Government.

In its order, the NHRC said that in view of the Centre's reply based on the report of the State Government, no further action by the Commission was called for.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Regional
Previous : CM orders removal of farm college Principal,
           varsity Dean
Next     : Crisis in Haryana Vikas Party deepens