Kajiman Chepang, 90, and his son Ram Bahadur, 72, of Dhusa-9, who reached the camp after walking four hours on little food, were happy to receive the citizenship certificates from the hand of Chief District Officer Ved Pradad Kharel on Thursday. They also registered their names in the voters roll and took a photo with the CDO. [break]
The two were further elated to learn that they would be receiving Rs 1,000 per month as old age social security allowance. Similarly, Bhagisingh, another Chepang from the locality, received his citizenship certificate at the age of 80. These are only a few examples how backward and ignorant the Chepang community is regarding their rights and state benefits.
Many members of this minority community, which is only now adopting a more settled way of life in preference to their semi-nomadic existence, are still devoid of state benefits meant for such communities.
Kajiman said no one ever advised him to obtain his citizenship while he was young and later on in life he himself did not feel any interest, thinking it would be of no use in his old age.
“Why is the certificate needed for a man like me who spends most of his time in the forest. I did not go for it as I was not going to be looking for a job or some such thing requiring citizenship” Kajiman said. Kajiman has three sons and eight grand-children, all of whom were devoid of citizenship.
According to Jitendra Chepang, central chairman of the Chepang Organization, the awareness level among his community is very low and as a result they remain deprived of health services and other benefits meant for backward communities.
The camp has been providing different services related to citizenship, voter identity cards, agriculture, public health, education and livestock.
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Chepang women delighted to acquire citizenship at 70
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