MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SMT. MANEKA GANDHI)
(a) Yes Sir.
(b)
(i) A copy of the representation has been forwarded to the States/UTs and Central
Ministries concerned for appropriate action. So far as abolition of Untouchability is
concerned, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Ministry,
Central assistance is provided to the State Governments on 50:50 basis and to Union
Territory Administrations on 100% basis for implementation of the Protection of
Civil Rights Act, 1955 and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act, 1989 for taking measures which include provision of legal aid,
appointment of officers for initiating or exercising supervision over prosecution,
setting up of Committees and Special Courts, conducting periodic surveys and
identification of untouchability prone areas and relief and rehabilitation measures
for the victims and/or their dependents.
The State Governments where pendency of cases is high, have been
requested to establish exclusive Special Courts for expeditious disposal of cases
registered.
The implementation of these Acts is being reviewed in meeting of the State
Secretaries of Scheduled Castes Development and Social Welfare Department and
the State Secretaries have been requested to take necessary action for
implementation of the Acts. Further the Chief Secretaries of States/UTs have been
requested by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for
ensuring effective implementation of provisions of these Acts and polices as also the
delivery of services and justice to the victims and target group. The matter has also
been taken up by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment with the
Chief Ministers of all States/UTs.
(ii) As regards other issues concerning Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment,
revision of rates of Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes students has been processed. In order to effectively implement the scheme of
Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers, the Ministry has taken up setting up of
Sanitary Marts with the concerned State Governments which would be operated by
Groups of scavengers. Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, is taking steps to acquire land for
the construction of Dr. Ambedkar Memorial.
