Chandigarh: Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi said that under Rule 16 of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, a State-level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
Bedi was replying to a question raised on the third day of the Monsoon Session of the Assembly. The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister informed that the Haryana Government and the police have taken several effective steps to reduce crimes against persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the State.
He informed that an SC/ST Protection Cell has been constituted at Police Headquarters, which is supervised by an officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police/Inspector General of Police. This cell is responsible for the coordination and monitoring of registered cases.
He said that regular monitoring is carried out at the Police Headquarters level to ensure all aspects of investigation, including the timely arrest of accused persons. Bedi further said that regular meetings are held at the district level to review the progress of investigations, so as to ensure accountability and effective compliance with the directions issued at the State level.
Besides, to ensure timely disbursement of compensation/monetary relief to victims, the Police Headquarters has issued directions to all regional units that copies of the First Information Report should be provided to the victim and the concerned District Welfare Officers immediately after registration of the case, so that monetary relief can be provided to the victims.
The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister said that according to the report of the National Crime Records Bureau, 1,020 cases of atrocities against persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes were registered in Haryana during 2024.
