Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Sarveen Chaudhary, said that State Government was committed for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in the State and effective steps were being taken to safeguard their rights. She was presiding over a workshop on issue and implementation of SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act-1989 and protection of Civil Rights Act-1955, organized by of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes Department.
Sarveen Chaudhary said that it was the responsibility of the Government to implement SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act-1989 and Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955. She said that District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, District Attorneys and District Welfare Officers had important role in the implementation of these Acts. She expressed happiness over the low rate of cases of atrocities against SC’s and ST’s, in the State she said that as per the Annual Report, 2010 only one case was registered under Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 in the State whereas 100 cases were registered SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities). Out of these 36 cases were settled after investigation and 55 cases had been filed in the courts whereas nine cases were under investigation.
The Minister directed the Deputy Commissioners to regularly organize the meetings of Vigilance Committees constituted in the Districts. She also directed to ensure timely disbursement of compensation to the aggrieved person. S.K. Dass, Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment, highlighted the various activities being implemented by the department for SCs and ST’s. Abishek Jain, Director Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and Minorities welcomed the Chief Guest and other participants. J.S. Mahantan, Member Secretary of Legal Aid Services Authority, said that free legal assistance was being provided to SCs and OBCs.
