The High Court of Karnataka on Monday ordered issue of notice to the State government on a PIL petition, which sought direction to fill the post of chairperson of the State Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), which has been vacant for over two years.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice M.I. Arun passed the order on the petition filed by Srinivasa C.L., a resident of Kollegal in Chamarajanagar district.
Pointing out that the post has been vacant since December 9, 2022, the petitioner complained that the situation had directly contributed to the commission’s failure to discharge its constitutional obligations. Failure of the State government to appoint chairperson is affecting those belonging to SC/ST communities as they are unable to access the statutory right for redressal of their grievances related to discrimination, infringement of their right to seek cost effective and accessible justice, protection and support to assert their rights though the commission, it was stated in the petition.
Thousands of complaints/petitions are pending for consideration for want of a chairperson, the petitioner contended while pointing out that fund from the public exchequer was being wasted in the form of salary paid to employees of the commission, which has become defunct with the vacant post of chairperson.
While seeking direction to the government to expeditiously appoint a chairperson, the petitioner also sought directions to the commission to prioritise and dispose pending complaints in a time-bound manner and to publish its annual report on welfare of the SC/ST communities in the State.
Published – January 20, 2025 08:44 pm IST