Karnataka govt may lift age bar for jobs to SC/ST atrocity victims' children: Report
Bengaluru: The state government is reportedly considering replacing a clause in the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which mandates that the children of SC/ST individuals who died in an atrocity case must complete 18 years of age within three years the death to qualify for government jobs on Compassionate Grounds (CG).
Since the implementation of this rule in 2018, at least 60 applicants have missed out on government employment opportunities because they did not meet the age criteria, as reported by the Deccan Herald on Tuesday. In light of this, the State Vigilance and Monitoring Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, recently held a meeting to discuss possible reforms to address the issue.
Under the existing provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the family of a deceased individual who died in an atrocity case receives a compensation of Rs 8.25 lakh. This is paid in two installments: 50 percent after the post-mortem and the remaining amount once the chargesheet is sent to the court. Additionally, the deceased’s widow is provided with a monthly pension of Rs 5,000, while an eligible family member is offered a government job under CG
However, the current law prevents children between the ages of 5 and 14 from benefiting from the job scheme. Sources suggest that the Social Welfare Department is in favour of removing this age restriction, but the final decision is still pending, the report mentioned.
Former MP L. Hanumanthaiah told DH that this will be a good decision as age should not restrict these children from becoming government employees. “Thus, those children who were denied job opportunities will now get them. This move is a progressive step for the development of these communities,” he said.
A senior official from the Social Welfare Department mentioned that prior to 2022, family members of deceased with independent annual incomes exceeding Rs 40,000 were disqualified from applying for CG jobs. Although this restriction has since been removed, the official added that the meeting discussed offering a one-time opportunity for individuals who missed out on jobs due to this clause.
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Bengal: On way to PM's rally, 3 mowed down by train amid dense fog
Kolkata (PTI): Three persons died and three others were injured after being hit by a train amid dense fog on Saturday, while travelling to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at Taherpur in West Bengal's Nadia district, a senior official said.
The incident occurred between Taherpur and Badkulla railway stations under the Sealdah-Krishnanagar section of Eastern Railway, he said.
Modi, whose helicopter could not land at Taherpur due to dense fog and low visibility, condoled the death of the “BJP workers” in his virtual address from Kolkata airport.
“I have come to know that some BJP workers, while travelling to the rally, lost their lives in a rail accident. My condolences are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Modi said.
The Eastern Railway official told PTI that the incident occurred in the morning when these people, who were travelling by a bus, had stopped the vehicle and walked to the railway tracks to answer nature's call.
"While three persons died on the spot, two others with injuries were admitted to a local hospital," he said.
Another person with minor injuries was released after having been administered first aid, the official said.
The deceased have been identified as Ramprasad Ghosh (74), Shaktipada Sutradhar (55) and Gopinath Das (38).
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP from Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district, alleged that the BJP ignored the incident and went ahead with the rally.
"Terrible tragedy hushed up at altar of @narendramodi ego. @BJP4India supporters brought from far Murshidabad for PM rally in Ranaghat today," she said in a post on X.
"4 went to answer nature's call and were killed by 31814 down local train near Taherpur. BJP ignored, blacked out & went ahead with rally," Moitra claimed.
Reacting to her remarks, the West Bengal BJP, in a post on X, asserted that the TMC "has always been adept at milking tragedies", and was being "disrespectful to the unfortunate victims of this tragedy".
The TMC alleged that BJP leaders have not shown "neither concern nor compassion" over the mishap.
"The loss of three lives in Taherpur should have united everyone in grief. But @BJP4India leaders showed neither concern nor compassion," it said in another post on X.
"At this painful moment, Smt @MamataOfficial and Shri @abhishekaitc put humanity above party lines and stood beside the families of the deceased," the party said.
TMC’s on-ground leaders promptly reached out to the grieving family members, ensuring them of help and assistance, it said.
"While Delhi’s rulers chase Bengal with arrogance, our leadership chose empathy. This is the difference between politics of power and politics of people!" the TMC added.
