PM asks for special cells to monitor atrocities on SC and ST

New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight expressed grave concern over the high incidence of atrocities against the "most underprivileged" sections of the society, and asked the states to set up "special cells" to monitor and effectively enforce the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, (PoA Act) 1989.

Addressing the tenth meeting of the Inter-State Council, he said the legislation was passed during the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi as the normal provisions of the Indian Penal Code were found to be inadequate to act as a deterrence in prevention of atrocities.

''This act is one of the most far-reaching legislations and provides state governments with optimal powers to create institutional instrumentalities that could strike at the roots of the causes that feed atrocities on the underprivileged sections," he said.

He, however, regretted that the implementation of the Act and its provisions had not been as effective as they could have been. Cases continued to be registered under weaker provisions of the IPC rather than the stronger provisions of the POA Act.

''More often than not, the distinction between regular crimes and those covered by the PoA Act had not percolated down," he said, calling for an exercise to sensitise both the afflicted and those in charge of implementing the act.

It was in this context that he had asked the states to set up special cells, preferably manned by senior officers belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Atrocities-prone districts could also have such cells, the PM said.

Dr Singh said the Centre had formed a committee of Ministers on Dalit Affairs to monitor and implement programmes for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes.

The Inter-State Council meeting was called by the Union Home Ministry to specifically discuss issues relating to atrocities committed on the SC and ST population.

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