Centre Reaffirms Commitment to Justice for SC/ST Communities at 28th Committee Meeting on Atrocities and Untouchability

New Delhi: In a significant move to strengthen efforts against caste-based discrimination, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, and Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, co-chaired the 28th meeting of the Committee to curb offences of untouchability and atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in New Delhi today. The meeting was also attended by Union Ministers of State Dr. Ramdas Athawale, B.L. Verma, and Shri Durga Das Uikey.

The high-level meeting saw participation from Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and senior police and administrative officials from across the country. Discussions focused on key implementation aspects of the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (PoA Act).

Key issues reviewed during the meeting included the rate of charge sheet filing, pendency of cases in courts, the status of Exclusive Special Courts, and the frequency of Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meetings at state and district levels. The committee also examined the status of pending grievances on the National Helpline Against Atrocities and discussed an action plan to address gaps in the implementation of the Acts.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Virendra Kumar called for regular and timely meetings of State and District Vigilance and Monitoring Committees to ensure effective enforcement of the PoA and PCR Acts. He urged state officials to take proactive measures to protect SC and ST communities from exploitation and stressed the need for increasing the number of Special Police Stations dedicated to such cases.

The Minister also emphasized fixing accountability of officials and taking appropriate action against any neglect of duty under the provisions of the PoA Act. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to safeguard the dignity and rights of marginalized communities and ensure justice is delivered to victims of caste-based atrocities.