Connect SC areas to N Hs to check atrocities: Meira

New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) Connect atrocities prone areas to National Highways to bring fruits of development to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

This was one of the suggestions given by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar at at valedictory session of the two-day conference of State Welfare Officers here.

Authorities should ensure that major roads pass through the areas inhabited by these classes, so that there is greater movement and intercourse with the rest of the society, which would help check the atrocities, she said.

She said states should explore the possibility of development in such areas.

Ms Kumar expressed disapppointment that there were no takers of the fund for pre-matric scholarships to the children of those engaged in unclean occupations like scavenging and sweeping etc.

Under the scheme, Central assistance is provided to State Governments on 50:50 basis and 100 per cent to UT administrations, However, the States have demanded that scheme should be 100 per cent sponsored by the Centre.

The suggestion was welcome but, the Minister said, she has been told by her Department that there were no takers in the states even for the existing amount.

She asked the States to sincerely implement the scheme and expressed concern over the fact that coverage by the States under the scheme has not been increasing over the years.

''There is urgent need to identify the eligible students so that they may pursue education upto matriculation,'' she added.

The Minister reiterated the commitment of the Government to eradicate scavenging by 2007 and rehabilitate such people in alternative employment to enable them to lead respectable living.

She also urged the States to take immediate steps for setting up toll free helpline to facilitate the affected Scheduled Caste persons to have an instant access to the police authorities for immediate action and for timely registration of FIR.

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