HYDERABAD: District collectors are not attending hearings conducted by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and this is the reason why there are so many pending cases, according to P M Kamalamma, member of the panel.
“Top officials never attend hearings. Instead, they send their juniors. We need to repeat the same thing at least four times. If this is the case, how can we solve issues? If the person concerned attends the hearings, issues can be cleared immediately,” she pointed out.
Speaking to reporters here, she further said authorities were least bothered about protocol when the National Commission visits them or summons them for a hearing. “If government officials do not follow basic protocol, how will they serve people or make people believe that they can help them? When we ask them to come for a hearing, they don’t even bother to turn up and when we go to their districts, no higher official will be present,” Kamalamma alleged.
According to the National Commission for SCs , the Andhra Pradesh government is a bit reluctant in following protocols compared to the Telangana government. “From AP and Telangana, six collectors have been asked to be present for hearing but none turned up. More than other state governments, officials from AP seem to have a problem in following rules. Next time, if they don’t follow the rules, we are going to take legal action,” Kamalamma threatened.
She also said she had visited Cherlapally jail recently and made some suggestions for the betterment of prisoners belonging to the SC community. “We have asked the authorities to raise the basic remuneration for prisoners from 50. We want them to get paid according to the Labour Act or at least, `100 per day. We also want to inform that prisoners who can’t afford a lawyer will be provided a lawyer of their choice free of cost.”
