Over 550 members of the Katkari tribe received caste certificates in a special ceremony held at the Hutatma Nagya Mahadu Katkari Community Development Centre in Male village, Mulshi Taluka, Pune. The event, organized by Jantaiya Kalyan Ashram and supported by Pune-based Rohan Builders, took place on Thursday.
This initiative aimed to assist the Katkari tribe in obtaining official recognition, helping them access government welfare schemes and benefits.
Historical Background: Displacement and Struggles
The Indian Express had earlier reported on October 8 regarding the plight of 45 Katkari Adivasi families displaced by the construction of the Dimbhe dam in the Ambegaon taluka during the 1980s. These families, who have lived without gram panchayat recognition, have been advocating for their merger into the nearby village of Bhorghar. Their lack of recognition has deprived them of basic rights and benefits, apart from voting rights.
Importance of Caste Certificates
At the ceremony, Sudhir Bhagwat, the Block Development Officer of Mulshi taluka, highlighted the significance of these caste certificates. He noted that they would open doors to education, healthcare, and government welfare schemes for the community.
Pravin Dabadghav, representing Rohan Builders, spoke about the rich historical contributions of the Katkari community, particularly their role in the Hindavi Swaraj under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He urged the younger generation to prioritize education to enhance their quality of life.
Rohan Builders’ Support to the Katkari Community
Suhas Lunkad from Rohan Builders discussed the organization’s previous efforts to assist the Katkari community. He mentioned that over 800 individuals had already been helped in obtaining caste certificates and Aadhaar cards. Additionally, the company is supporting 55 families in Mugaon village by providing homes, with each family receiving a government grant of ₹1.2 lakh. So far, 35 houses have been completed, with the remaining expected to be finished by the end of the year.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Where was the special ceremony for the distribution of caste certificates to the Katkari tribe held?
- a) Mulshi Taluka, Pune
- b) Ambegaon Taluka
- c) Bhorghar Village
- d) Mugaon Village
Answer: a) Mulshi Taluka, Pune
- What was the main objective of distributing caste certificates to the Katkari tribe?
- a) To provide them with voting rights
- b) To help them access education, healthcare, and government welfare schemes
- c) To offer them employment opportunities
- d) To relocate them to a new village
Answer: b) To help them access education, healthcare, and government welfare schemes
- Which organization supported the event for caste certificate distribution?
- a) Jantaiya Kalyan Ashram
- b) Rohan Builders
- c) Gram Panchayat of Bhorghar
- d) Dimbhe Dam Project Committee
Answer: b) Rohan Builders
- How many Katkari families were displaced due to the construction of the Dimbhe dam?
- a) 45
- b) 550
- c) 35
- d) 800
Answer: a) 45
- How many houses are Rohan Builders helping to build for the Katkari community in Mugaon village?
- a) 800 houses
- b) 55 houses
- c) 45 houses
- d) 35 houses
Answer: b) 55 houses