Implement law to check atrocities against SCs: Gehlot to states

The Centre on Friday asked all states and Union territories to implement the law in letter and spirit to curb incidents of atrocities against Scheduled Castes, saying it is the need of the hour.

Presiding over a meeting here of principal secretaries of states/UTs of social justice departments, Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said the government has made amendments in the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act providing for more stringent punishment and enhanced quantum of relief amount to the victims.

"I would call upon the states and UTs to implement the act in letter and spirit so that atrocities against the Scheduled Castes are curbed," the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment said. He said states should expedite implementation of the provisions of the amended Act and work for awareness generation and sensitisation of police and other officials about its provisions.

Expressing concern over the practice of manual scavenging, Gehlot asked states to ensure the inhuman practice is eradicated.

The minister said the government has been implementing various schemes for educational, economic and social empowerment of SCs, OBCs and added that to ensure effective delivery of the schemes, the Centre and the states should join hands.