Spread awareness to prevent atrocities against SC, ST communities: Minister to officials

Haryana Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment, SCs and BCs Welfare Krishan Kumar Bedi has directed officials to spread awareness to prevent atrocities against SC and ST communities. He asked officials to organise seminars and debate for spreading awareness about rights and giving protection to the SC and ST communities. He emphasised that such events should be planned in consultation with local MLAs and assured that adequate budgetary support would be provided by the government.

While chairing a meeting of the District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee at the Mini-Secretariat on Monday, he also promised to issue identity cards to non-official members of the committee.

The meeting was convened to review the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The minister informed that such review meetings were being held in all districts.

Referring to a recent state-level meeting held under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Chandigarh, Bedi said specific references were made to pending cases in Karnal, prompting his visit today. He also reviewed the implementation of various schemes under the Mukhya Mantri Samajik Samrasta Antarjatiya Vivah Shagun Yojana, the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, and the overall role of officials and agencies responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Act.

Accompanied by Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand, Mayor Renu Bala Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh and SP Ganga Ram Punia, minister Bedi further reviewed actions taken in cases of atrocities against members of the SC and ST communities and the financial assistance provided to victims. He stressed on the importance of ensuring that these communities not only remain free from discrimination and violence, but also receive full benefits of government welfare schemes.

“We have evaluated the effectiveness of public outreach and awareness initiatives related to these schemes. Necessary directions have been issued to officials to dispose of all pending cases promptly,” the minister asserted.

Later, when asked by reporters about ceasefire-related developments, Minister Bedi said, “Indian forces have brought the terror-sponsoring nation to its knees. The entire country takes pride in its leadership and armed forces, which took swift and decisive action against terror camps.”