Leaders of Dalit and Harijan communities yesterday reiterated that they were deprived of jobs and Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) cards despite the prime minister's May 29 directive to ensure the two.

The leaders of Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad organised a press conference in the capital’s Jatiya Press Club to express their grievances.

They said the 56 lakh Dalits of the country were not listed and not provided food in August through VGF cards, a safety net programme of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

"A gazette notification was released from the ministry on June 27 confirming compliance with the directive but we were not even informed during the food distribution,” said the parishad Secretary General Nirmal Chandra Das.

The parishad, in a statement, also said Harijans were not employed in posts designated for them at Bogra Health Department, Khulna office of the superintendent of police and Pirojpur deputy commissioner's office.

The directive also said, "It is essential that city corporations construct residences for Harijan and Dalit communities.” However, Harijan colonies in Khulna, Narayanganj and Chapainawabganj were vacated without rehabilitation to expand the cities, said the statement.

The ministry Secretary M Aslam said the local authorities were directed to see to anomalies on the VGF list.