Chandigarh: Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Mr. Jasvir Singh Garhi has directed senior officials of the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities to immediately ensure the training of Roster Register Checking Committees. The objective is to ensure justice for eligible government employees and officers in Punjab regarding promotions and to bring greater clarity in the proper implementation of roster registers according to the prescribed law.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan today, Mr. Garhi said that the Police Department has also been instructed to ensure training on the SC/ST Act for officers at the Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent levels. This training is intended to improve clarity in police action and investigations following complaints received across districts and to facilitate the timely resolution of related cases.
Emphasizing the need for the construction of new Ambedkar Bhawans and proper maintenance of existing buildings in various districts, Mr. Garhi stated that the Finance Department and the Department of Social Justice have been directed to arrange land availability and budget allocations in districts where Ambedkar Bhawans have not yet been built. He further noted that in some districts, Ambedkar Bhawans are being used by other departments, and alternative arrangements should be made for those departments.
Earlier, while chairing the 29th meeting of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission at Punjab Bhawan, Mr. Garhi instructed state government officials to give priority to complaints and matters concerning members of the Scheduled Castes community. He stated that the Commission remains committed to protecting the rights and interests of Scheduled Castes in the state.
Mr. Garhi also reviewed the status of cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 with senior officials from the Police Department, Local Government Department, Social Justice Department, and other agencies. He directed police officials to expedite the disposal of these cases so that complainants receive justice in a timely manner.
During the meeting, the Commission also reviewed security arrangements for devotees at Sri Rakba Sahib (Ludhiana) main centre of Bhuriwale Gurgaddi (Garib Dass) Sampardaye and Sri Jhandian Dham (Ropar), Sri Khuralgarh Sahib, a sacred place associated with Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji. These sites are visited by large numbers of devotees belonging to Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Similarly, the issue of providing security at Ram Moksh Dham Tapprian Khurd (Balachaur) was also raised. This site also serves as the residential hermitage of Acharya Chetna Nand Ji Maharaj, the current spiritual head of the Kabirpanthi Bhuriwale sect.
The meeting was attended by non-official members of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, Mr. Rupinder Singh, Mr. Gurpreet Singh, Mr. Gulzar Singh, Member Secretary Ms. Nayan Jassal, ADGP Security Dr. Kaustubh Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment Mr. Ravinder Singh, Director of the Local Government Department Mr. H.S. Brar and senior officials from GMADA and other departments.
