Rs 77.2 lakh distributed to victims under SC/ST Act

A total of Rs 77.2 lakh in relief has been distributed among 68 persons in connections with 57 cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Sirmaur district. This information was shared by Deputy Commissioner Sumit Khimta during a quarterly district-level meeting.

The meeting also reviewed the Prime Minister’s New 15-Point Programme for the welfare of minorities and the activities of the local and district-level disability committees.

According to Khimta, 67 cases have been registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act between 2021 and 2024. Of these, 38 cases are pending in court, two have resulted in convictions and 11 cases have been dismissed. Five cases remain under police investigation, and eight cases have been withdrawn from the Act’s provisions.

The Deputy Commissioner called for providing prompt relief to the victims in accordance with the rules. He emphasised the need for paying attention to cases of atrocities committed against individuals from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Khimta also highlighted the need for vigilance against discrimination and untouchability in schools and anganwadi centres across the district. He urged the public to immediately report any such incident to the District Welfare Officer, the Child Development Project Officer or members of the committee established under the Act.

In the subsequent session focusing on the welfare of minorities, Khimta noted that Sirmaur district had a total population of 529,855, of which 53,025 belong to minority communities, making up approximately 10% of the total population. The Deputy Commissioner highlighted various government welfare schemes aimed at the upliftment of these minority communities.

It was informed at the meeting that educational institutions should encourage meritorious students from minority communities to take advantage of the government’s scholarship schemes.

In addition, attractive loan facilities have been made available to support the economic activities of people from minority groups. So far, during the current fiscal year, 38 beneficiaries in Sirmaur district have received a total of Rs 20.98 lakh under this initiative.