By Our Correspondent
RAIPUR/BHUBANESWAR: Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi, who had leveled corruption allegation against Odisha’s powerful Biju Janata Dal MP in Lok Sabha , Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda, was himself under scanner over his caste certificate.
On July 21 , 2017, National Commission for Scheduled Caste had summoned Bilaspur Collector P Dayanand for not taking punitive action against on the report passed by High Power Caste Scrutiny Committee (HPCSC) of Chhattisgarh cancelling/confiscating Caste/Social Status Certificate of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi.
On the complaint of principal complainant Santkumar Netam, the National Commission for Scheduled Caste has not only summoned Bilaspur Collector P Dayanand to submit reply on the issue in person but also has reportedly written to DoPT for taking action against him.
The Commission while issuing a notice to the Bilaspur Collector, had asked it to reply as to why no action has been taken against Jogi on the report submitted by High Power Caste Scrutiny Committee, why is there delay in taking punitive action? It had asked the Bilaspur Collector to file his reply by appearing in person before the Commission.
It has also cautioned the Collector that if he fails to submit his reply, the Commission may issue summons against him.
Meanwhile, on the basis of complaint made by Sant Kumar Natam, the Commission had also written to DoPT for initiating disciplinary action against the Collector.
It is worth mentioning here that Santkumar Netam, who is the principal complainer on the issue of Ajit Jogi’s caste and who is fighting the case since last 17 years, had forwarded a complaint against Bilaspur Collector P Dayanand to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his complaint to the Prime Minister, Netam reportedly maintained that the Bilaspur Collector is allegedly providing assistance to the former Chief Minister by allowing him optimum time and opportunity to fight out his case.
Demanding action against the Bilaspur Collector, Netam in his two page letter, which he had forwarded to PMO, maintained that the role of the Bilaspur Collector on the caste issue of Ajit Jogi is somewhat suspicious.
He said after the High Power Caste Scrutiny Committee termed Jogi as non-tribal in its report, his caste certificate has been cancelled but under the Act a case has to be registered against him for penal action, is not being registered.
He alleged that the conduct of the Bilaspur Collector is not in compliance with the Civil Services Act as despite several representations, the Collector has failed to act against Jogi deliberately.
