KATHMANDU: Incidents of caste-based discrimination are on the rise at different places in the country, according to the National Dalit Commission.

According to the Commission, a total of seven complaints related to caste-based discrimination have been filed at the Commission so far in the current fiscal year 2014/15.

Similarly, the Commission has been carrying out investigations into some 10 cases regarding untouchability, basing their investigations on news published in different newspapers.

Commission Chairman Man Bahadur Nepali said that most petitions were filed about discriminatory practices like village expulsion of people for inter-caste marriage with a Dalit, being thrashed for touching drinking water and entering temples.

He said, “Though the Commission recorded less number of petitions regarding caste-based discrimination compared to the police administration, such incidents are on the rise across the country.”

The Commission Chairman said that the commission has been carrying out works to provide justice along with compensation for victims by investigations into the reported cases.

Although the Racial Discrimination and Untouchability (Crime and Punishment) Act, 2068 was formulated and passed during the tenure of former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, it has not been implemented in an effective manner.

Central Committee member of the Nepali Congress and lawmaker Jeevan Pariyar said that in the recent time it is very difficult for people from Dalit community to get house for rent in Kathmandu. House owners are found expelling people from Dalit communities from their house immediately upon gaining knowledge of their Dalit background, he added.

There is a provision in the Act that one can get three years’ imprisonment or Rs 1,000-Rs 25,000 fine or both if he/she was found involved in such act.