Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&E), Dr. Virendra Kumar, and Union Minister for Tribal Affairs (TA), Shri Jual Oram, co-chaired the 28th meeting of the Committee to devise ways and means to curb offences of Untouchability and Atrocities against SCs and STs, in New Delhi today. It was also graced by the presence of Union Ministers of State, Dr. Ramdas Athawale, Shri B.L. Verma and Shri Durga Das Uikey.

In the meeting, discussions were held regarding charge sheet filing rate in the courts, pendency of cases in courts, status of Exclusive Special courts, meeting of Vigilance and  Monitoring Committees, pending grievances on National Helpline against Atrocities and Action plan to do away with shortcomings in implementation of the PCR and PoA Acts etc. was reviewed. The Committee reaffirmed the resolution of the Government to provide dignity to all the vulnerable sections of the society.

Union Minister, Dr. Virendra Kumar, in his concluding remarks, emphasized upon regular conduct of State Level and District Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee Meetings to review the implementation of the provisions of Act in their respective States and Districts. State Officers were asked to take measures in order to ensure the SC & ST Population are not exploited in their States. Further, he emphasized upon increase in establishment of Special Police Stations, to fix accountability and take action against erring officials as per the provisions of PoA Act in case of neglect of duty.       

The meeting concluded with a commitment from all participants to work together to ensure that the intent and spirit of these crucial Acts are upheld and justice is delivered to the victims of caste-based discrimination and atrocities. It witnessed participation from various States Governments at the level of Additional Chief Secretaries, Secretaries, Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of the SC/ST Development/Welfare Department, Home Department and Senior Police officials of the States/UTs attended the meeting.

Background

A committee, under the Chairpersonship of Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment along with the members from Ministry of Home Affairs, Tribal Affairs, Law and Justice, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and three non-official members (two amongst SCs and one amongst STs), was set up in the year 2006 on the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It aims to devise ways and means to curb offences of atrocities and ensure effective administration of the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities){PoA} Act, 1989.

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VM/GS

(Release ID: 2130851)