Centre not taking SC commission seriously: Bhan

Mumbai, May 16 (UNI) National Commission on Scheduled Castes chairman Suraj Bhan today said that the Centre was not abiding by the Constitutional provision of consulting the commission on all important policy decisions concerning the Scheduled castes.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Bhan said the Centre was insulting the Constitution by ignoring the commission. As per article 338 of the Constitution, it is mandatory for the government to consult the commission on all important decisions concerning the Scheduled Castes.

'I will be writing to all the MPs next week urging them to raise the issue in Parliament'', he said.

Responding to a question on the commission's reaction to the nationwide outcry over reservations to OBCs, Mr Bhan said he could not comment on the issue because the Centre did not seek its opinion on the issue.

He said the Centre was not even heeding the suggestions of the commission. Mr Bhan recalled that the draft bill on reservation in government services was introduced last year in the Parliament.

''The draft bill was toothless. There was no penal action incorporated. The draft was sent to our office at 1700 hrs on Friday when the bill was supposed to be introduced on Monday in the Parliament. We suggested that penal clause be incorporated -- six month imprisonment and Rs 5000 fine for those who violate the reservation orders. We also suggested that the word ''willfully'' be removed from the clause that penal action against government officers who willfully violate the reservation provisions. No officer would accept that he willfully committed the offence'', Mr Bhan explained.

He further said despite the suggestions, the bill was introduced in its original format.

To a question on whether he plans to quit his post because of the government's attitude, he said, ''why should I resign. Even nobody took the Election Commission seriously before T N Seshan took charge''.

UNI MR ADG SK PM0157