JANAKPURDHAM: The Third National Conference of the National Harwa Charwa Rights Forum concluded in Janakpur, issuing a 17-point declaration.
In the declaration, the Forum strongly urged the government to promptly endorse the procedures and action plans for the rehabilitation of the Harwa Charwa community.
They emphasized initiating the process to collect their details, verify their status, and provide them with identity cards.
Expressing concern over the State’s indifference towards the rehabilitation of the former Harwa Charwa community, the Forum highlighted that despite the announcement of their liberation, their rehabilitation remains neglected by the government.
They called upon the three-tier government to take immediate measures to address this issue.
Additionally, the Forum demanded the implementation of a report along with the recommendations presented by a committee to study the community’s status.
The Forum articulated specific demands, including the allocation of at least 10 Kattha of land (equivalent to 3,645 sq. feet) for each Harwa Charwa family.
They also advocated for skill enhancement training, a multi-faceted poverty alleviation program, seed capital worth Rs 100,000, and technical support for individuals interested in pursuing self-entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, the Forum emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among all levels of government to address the challenges facing the Harwa Charwa community through policy interventions, particularly in the upcoming budget.
Addressing the issue of more than half of the Harwa Charwa population being deprived of social security and other facilities due to the lack of citizenship cards, the Forum urged the State to make alternative provisions to rectify this.
The Forum also called for directives to halt the displacement of freed Harwa Charwa from their residences in the name of development activities until alternative arrangements are made.
Additionally, the conference demanded the enactment of an integrated Act on the prohibition of forced labor during the upcoming parliamentary session.
This aims to address the issues of freed Haliyas, Kamaiyas, Kamalaris, Harwas, and Charwas sustainably, effectively implement rehabilitation programs, and eradicate the forced labor system.
During the conference, a 25-member Working Committee was elected, chaired by Dashan Lal Mandal.
Shree Prasad Sada was elected as the vice-president, Lagindra Sada as the general-secretary, and Mohammad Kasim Miya and Biganes Paswan as the secretaries.
Rajawati Mandal was appointed as the treasurer of the Working Committee.
The elected central committee members include Sumitra Khang, Gita Devi Sadaya, Tetari Devi Majhi, Soniya Majhi, Ramsakhi Devi Khachne (Mandal), Thakani Devi Ram, Ali Mohammad Nadaf, Shyam Sundar Sada, Madhu Sada, Devendra Ram, Khublal Ram, Dali Majhi, Dhanamanti Ram, Goliya Devi Ram, and Upendra Das.
Newly-elected President Dashan Lal Mandal stated that the Working Committee would nominate the remaining four central committee members.
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