Village (Giridih), Vinod Pandey: Tribal students of remote rural areas of Gaon block under Giridih district are facing a lot of difficulties in higher education and jobs, due to non-availability of residential, caste etc. certificates. A large number of children of tribal families living in villages Tilaiya, Khainiyapahari, Baltharwa, Dudhpaniya, Odpodo and Dumarjhara etc. located in remote areas are deprived of caste housing etc. The students here, despite being from the Scheduled Tribes, have to take admission in the plus two high school from the general category. They are also facing the same situation in various competitive exams. Tribal students are forced to enroll in plus two schools by paying general category fees. In such a situation, they are not getting scholarship and other facilities provided by the government. They are being deprived of the benefits of reservation even in government jobs.
what kind of trouble are you having
Tribal families living in these areas have been living there for years. Their forefathers had come and settled in remote forest areas decades ago. They do not have Khatian etc related to the land. In the year 1961-62 the lease was given by the circle or forest department. Since then they have been living there by building a permanent house. On the other hand, apart from making agriculture, animal husbandry, leaf, rope etc. on the nearby flat land, they have been living by working hard. Two decades ago, the level of education in these areas was extremely low. Insurgency was at its peak in the region. The condition of the schools was very pathetic. The people of this area had also opposed the extremism by risking their lives. As a result, there is peace in the area at present. Presently the condition of the schools has improved and the children of these tribal families are moving towards higher education, but the problem of certificates is becoming a hindrance in their progress. Two weeks ago, thousands of tribal people held a rally and public meeting in front of the Block-cum-Circle Office and handed over a memorandum to the Village Zonal Office and Sub-Divisional Office, Khorimhua, for their rights, but no result has been found so far. People say that while khatian is being demanded for residential construction, a deed related to khatian and land registry is also being sought for caste, in which caste is mentioned. In the absence of these documents, their application is being rejected.
Students have applied in general category
At present, due to lack of certificates, the tribal students of these areas have to study in the general category by enrolling in plus two schools. Chhotu Hansda, father late Babulal Hansda, Durga Soren, father Budhu Hansda of the said area have taken admission in Inter in the village. But, in the absence of caste certificate, he has been enrolled from the general category. Jagna Soren, father Sukhu Soren is studying in UUV Pasnaur after getting enrolled in general category. Similarly, Renu Kumari, father Daso Hansda and Sunita Kumari father Sunil Hansda, Lalita Kumari father Ghudka Soren are forced to study in Project Kanya Uvi Gaon by enrolling in general category in the absence of caste certificate. The said students told that for getting the certificate, a copy of Khatian, land deed or service book related to job is being sought in the Pragya Kendras. In the absence of these documents, their application is being rejected.
What is the guideline of the state government
Clear guidelines have been given by the state government for the local residents. Taking a resolution in this context, in the cabinet meeting on April 7, 2016, the Department of Personnel published it on April 18. It is clear in the resolution that Khatian is not necessary for the certificate. The certificate can be issued to the one who fulfills even one of the six standards set in the context of local certificate issue. For this, such people, who reside in the geographical limits of Jharkhand. Name should be registered in Khatian by self or ancestor’s name. In case of landless, his identification will be done by the concerned Gram Sabha. Has been residing in Jharkhand for 30 years or more for any business, employment and other reasons or has acquired movable or immovable property. The certificate will be issued to the wife or child of such person. Officers and employees or their spouses or children who are appointed and working in recognized institutions, corporations etc. run by the Government of Jharkhand. The certificate will be issued to the wife or child of the officer or employee of the Government of India, who is working in Jharkhand. The person appointed on any constitutional or legal posts in Jharkhand or his children will also get its benefit. A person who is born in Jharkhand and has completed his entire education up to matriculation or equivalent level from recognized institutions located in Jharkhand.
where is the problem
At this time, Pragya Center and Halka employees give special pressure for Khatian from the applicants and they are often harassed by delaying. The biggest problem is coming in making caste certificate. In order to make caste certificate, applicants have to attach any document related to caste in the application other than the residential certificate, in which the concerned caste is mentioned. For this also a deed related to Khatian or land registry is sought, which people are not able to submit. Due to this he becomes a local, but caste certificate is not made. Although there is a clear instruction for this also to be made through Gram Sabha, but due to departmental apathy, all this is not being done, due to which the children of poor tribal families are not getting the benefits of reservation, scholarship etc.
What do people and public representatives say
In this regard, former MLA Rajkumar Yadav said that not making certificate of poor tribal families is a matter of great concern. The departmental officials should pay attention to this and find a solution. CPI-ML will not tolerate this cruel injustice being done to the children of tribal families living in remote mountainous areas. There will be a mass movement in the matter.
Solution should be found by organizing Gram Sabha: Munna Singh
On the other hand, MLA representative Munna Singh said that the departmental officials in the present government are cut off from the problems of the common people. The tribal society has been continuously raising its voice, but lack of concrete initiative in this direction is a matter of concern. The officers should solve their problems soon. A solution should be found by organizing a gram sabha in the matter.
Need for initiative towards solution: Ajay Kumar Singh
Twenty-point president of the village Ajay Kumar Singh said that in this regard initiative will be taken in the direction of solution by meeting senior officials. If necessary, correspondence will also be done with the government, so that the problems related to certificates can be removed. All the members of twenty point will go to the respective areas and study their problems.
Not issuing certificate is gross injustice: Ramesh Hansda
Baltharwa’s social worker Ramesh Hansda said that we have been agitating for a long time regarding certificates and forest rights, but the problem is not being resolved. Not issuing the certificate is a gross injustice. If the matter is not resolved soon, the people of the entire society will sit on an indefinite dharna in front of the block cum zonal office.
Matter is in cognizance: Circle Officer
In this matter, the BDO cum CO of Gaon Mahendra Ravidas said that the matter is under cognizance. Initiative is being taken for the certificates of tribal students living in remote areas. Localization work is being done on the basis of lease, but due to non-mention of caste in the lease, there is difficulty in making caste certificate. For this, gram sabhas have been organized in some places, whose scrutiny is being done. Signatures of five ryots are also to be taken in the concerned place, the process of which is going on. The certificate will be issued after the completion of all the process.