BC Commission Seeks Action Against Social Boycotts, VDC Excesses
Niranjan said such practices continued in villages long after Independence and the formation of Telangana and stressed the need for strict enforcement of laws to eradicate them.
Nizamabad:Chairman of the Telangana State Backward Classes Commission G. Niranjan has directed officials to take stringent action against Village Development Committees indulging in social boycotts, arbitrary fines and harassment in the name of village development.
Niranjan said such practices continued in villages long after Independence and the formation of Telangana and stressed the need for strict enforcement of laws to eradicate them.
A team of the BC Commission led by Niranjan, along with members Tirumalagiri Surender, Rapolu Jayaprakash and Balalakshmi, met victims at the integrated district offices complex here on Wednesday.
Around 90 victims from different villages submitted written complaints detailing their grievances.
The commission held a review meeting with collector Ila Tripathi and revenue and police officials. Niranjan sought details of action taken against VDCs and called for strict measures against committees violating the law.
He proposed a special committee comprising the additional collector, police and revenue officials to monitor VDC functioning and ensure that the committees operated within the legal framework. He also called for free legal aid for victims and awareness campaigns through cultural troupes.
Collector Tripathi assured the commission that the district administration would take firm measures against social boycotts and curb unlawful activities by VDCs.
Niranjan said the Telangana government was expected to introduce a BC Protection Act soon, on the lines of legislation protecting SCs and STs from atrocities. The BC Commission had submitted a comprehensive report to the state government recommending such legislation and that the government was positively considering the proposal, he said.
During the commission’s visit to Nizamabad, several complaints were also submitted over alleged incidents of social and caste-based boycotts. Victims from different parts of the district submitted written petitions detailing their grievances.
Several complainants alleged that VDCs in different parts of the district were being used to impose social restrictions and carry out coercive practices. Leaders of BC caste associations, representatives of various sections and members of public organisations also submitted petitions and shared their views with the commission.
The district administration made arrangements to enable the victims to speak freely and without fear and to ensure that those attending the hearing faced no inconvenience while submitting their complaints.
