Wasnik Against Creation of Mahadalits From Dalits

Union Minister Mukul Wasnik today disapproved bifurcation of the weaker sections by the Bihar government.

Wasnik, the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, said he did not approve bifurcation of Mahadalits from among the dalits by the Bihar government. He also said that there was no division of dalits and mahadalits in the central list.

Expressing concern at the atrocities against the SC and ST in Bihar, he told reporters, "It is a matter of grave concern that about 3,800 cases (3,730 cases in 2011 as per the NCRB data) of atrocities against the SC and ST have taken place in Bihar in a year."

Wasnik said that he was informed that the state government has identified 32 out of 38 districts as atrocity prone.

He said that arms licences of criminal and anti-social elements be cancelled and those posing threat to safety and security of dalits be barred from the districts.

The state government should request courts to take up pending cases of atrocities and injustice against the SC and ST as there was growth in such incidents in certain districts due to delay in disposal of such cases, he said.

The Centre would provide assistance, if required, for setting up special courts for trial of such cases, he added.

On the state government's demand for central assistance to give compensation to the SC and ST for suffering atrocities and violence, Wasnik said that the Centre has always supported Bihar with the state government given assistance of Rs 55 lakh in 2009-10, Rs 90 lakh in 2010-11 and Rs two crore in 2011-12. No proposal has been received for 2012-13.

On the state government's claim that it has provided jobs to 12 dalits for being victims of atrocities, he said that he would verify the claims.