Govt intitutes National Awards for eradicating untouchability

New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) The Union government is working on amendments to ensure the protection of Scheduled Castes under Civil Rights Act, 1955 and Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar said today while announcing the institution of National Awards for outstanding fieldwork in eradicating untouchability and combating atrocities against the community.

The awards, to be given to NGOs and human right activists from 2007, will consist of two lakh rupees for an individual and five lakh rupees for an institution, Mrs Meira Kumar told a press conference here.

There will be four awards every year-- one each for northern, southern, eastern and western regions -- with an aim to promote peace, security and social equity among the dalits.

The awards, to become an annual feature, will be open to all Indian NGOs and human rights activists without any distinction or discrimination on grounds of race, sex, caste or creed, she added.

The selection committee constituted for the purpose will consider the nominations.

For 2007, the nominations are, to be received up to January 31, 2007. Modalities and other details of the scheme are available at the website of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (www.socialjustice.nic.in).

UNI YJ PKS BS1939