The Government continues to strengthen the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, through sustained financial and institutional support to States and Union Territories for ensuring timely relief to victims, effective enforcement of the law and protection of the rights and dignity of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale in a written reply to Shri Chandrakant Damodar Handore in the Rajya Sabha.

The Minister informed that statistical data on crimes registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs, and published annually in its Crime in India report. The latest published data is available up to the year 2024.

According to the NCRB data, 57,569 cases registered under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act under Crime against Scheduled Castes and 10,064 cases registered under the same Act under crime against Scheduled Tribes, during 2022. Similarly, during 2023, 57,766 SC cases and 12,959 ST cases were registered, while 55,685 SC cases and 9,961 ST cases were reported during 2024.

The reply further informed that, as per the NCRB data, 17,123 cases relating to Scheduled Castes and 7,219 cases relating to Scheduled Tribes were pending investigation during 2024.

The reply further consist that, as per the NCRB data, the All India conviction rate under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act stood at 34.1 per cent for cases relating to Scheduled Castes and 28.1 per cent for cases relating to Scheduled Tribes in 2022, 32.4 per cent and 24.6 per cent in respect of SC and ST categories in 2023, and 33.9 per cent and 33.2 per cent in respect of SC and ST categories respectively in 2024.

The Minister further informed that 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. Accordingly, the responsibility for maintaining law and order, investigating offences, preventing crimes and protecting the lives and property of citizens, including members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, rests with the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Central Government issues advisories from time to time to States and UTs for strengthening the criminal justice system with special emphasis on preventing crimes against SCs and STs.

To support States and Union Territories in implementing the provisions of the Act, the Central Govt is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for strengthening the machinery for enforcement of the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Under the Scheme, Central Assistance is provided for effective implementation of these Acts, including relief and rehabilitation of victims of atrocities.

During 2022-23, Central Assistance amounting to ₹392.71 crore was released to States and Union Territories, benefiting 88,172 victims. During 2023-24, Central Assistance increased to ₹535.30 crore, under which 79,667 victims were provided relief. During 2024-25, assistance amounting to ₹495.29 crore was released, benefiting 99,965 victims across the country.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment continues to work in close coordination with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to ensure effective implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, thereby strengthening access to justice, providing timely relief to victims and safeguarding the constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes across the country.

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