Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai has directed officials to take steps for speedy disposal of cases of atrocity against SC and STs that are pending in courts.
He was chairing a meeting of the State Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee under SC/ ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 today in Vidhanasoudha.
He directed the Principal Secretary Social Welfare to personally coordinate with Home and Law Departments to ensure there is no delay in Investigation, in filing charge sheet and during prosecution. He also directed the officials to take steps to increase conviction rate.
He directed the officials to review action taken report on the decision taken in the meeting every month. It was decided to hold quarterly meeting of the committee, in case, there are issues that need to be addressed immediately. He directed to ensure the district level and sub-divisional level committees hold meetings quarterly.
Chief Minister told to focus on the safety and protection of complainants and witnesses. In sensitive cases, he advised police to take them to court in police protection. It was also decided to appoint Additional Advocate General to oversee the process.
More than 1.8 lakh applications under Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers Act 2006 have been rejected in the State. To review this matter, it was decided to set up a State Level Review Committee, comprising 3 members representing these communities too.
Chief Minister directed to take stern action against those who submit fake caste certificates and those who issue such certificates which deprives the eligible people from availing Government facilities.
Chief Minister also directed the concerned departments to take steps to make amendments to rules to increase the time limit for applying for Government jobs under Commpassionate Ground for the kins of victims who died due to atrocity.
Chief Minister told the officials to give priority for education, employment and empowerment of SC/ ST people and implement their welfare programmes in time bound manner. He told that ESCOMs were directed to utilise funds under SCSP/ TSP. The Act would be amended to ensure that the funds allocated for the welfare of these communities shall be utilised for the very purpose only.
Ministers Kota Shrinivasa Poojary, B. Shriramulu, J.C. Madhuswamy, members of the committee, Chief Secretary to Government P. Ravikumar and other senior officials were present.