http://www.thehindu.com/2010/04/03/stories/2010040359840100.htm
Front Page Dalit icons now get special security Atiq Khan Mayawati goes ahead with constitution of special force without Governor's nod Special protection: Monuments like this one dedicated to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar will now get special security in Uttar Pradesh. LUCKNOW: Not waiting for the Governor, B.L. Joshi's approval for the Uttar Pradesh Special Zone Protection Force Bill (SZPF) and the Ordinance of the same name meant for constituting a force for guarding the monuments of Dalit icons, the Chief Minister, Mayawati on Friday decided to constitute a special force of ex-servicemen with immediate effect. The SZPF Bill passed by both the Houses of the U.P. Legislature on February 18 was sent to the Governor for his approval. But with Mr. Joshi sitting over it, the Mayawati Government sent an Ordinance to Raj Bhavan on March 26 with some amendments. Still there was no response from the Governor. The proposal submitted before the Cabinet on Friday was granted prompt approval. The recruitment of ex-servicemen would begin from Saturday with the Principal Secretary (Home) given the authority of completing the formalities. The Cabinet meeting was presided over by the Chief Minister. To be named as Special Zone Protection Force (SZPF), the proposal envisages the constitution of a battalion, comprising about 1200 security personnel, headed by an ex-army officer of the rank of a Colonel. Recruitment process The recruitment process of ex-servicemen and their service rules would be the same as applicable elsewhere in the country. About Rs 8 to 9 crore would be spent on constituting the force in the first year and it is likely to be set up by April-end. Describing the move as an executive decision of the State Government, which implied that there was no confrontation with Raj Bhavan on this issue, the Cabinet Secretary, Shashank Shekhar Singh told reporters here that the Bill and SZPF were two separate issues. Mr. Singh clarified that there have been no discussion with the Governor on this issue. As head of the State it is the Governor's prerogative to take any decision on the pending Bill and ordinance, the Cabinet Secretary said. To begin with, the security force would be responsible for the security of nine sites including memorials, museums, parks, statues and galleries built to Dalit icons in Lucknow and Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar). In fact, the urgency and reasons given for constituting the special force of ex-army personnel were interesting. Stating that the monuments built in the memory of Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram and other eminent persons were the BSP Government's tribute to their contribution, Mr. Singh said the security of these sites was a matter of concern for the government. There was a fear that these might be vandalised by casteist and anti-Dalit elements which is why there was a pressing need for constituting a special security force, the Cabinet Secretary said. He added that any damage to the monuments would have created a furore in the country and caused a law and order problem. “These things were kept in mind before taking the decision to form a separate force”, Mr. Singh added. Moreover, recruitment from the police would have caused a heavy strain on the police force and there would have been a shortfall in their numbers. ------------------------------------ ---- INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to [email protected], OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE:- On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to [email protected] TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to [email protected] OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
