 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 5: B. R. Kundal (IAS, Retd.), Working President of the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Academy (JKUT), has welcomed the government’s recent decision to reconstitute the High Power Vigilance and Monitoring Committee to oversee the effective implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and rules of 1995 made under the Act.
Expressing gratitude, Mr. Kundal extended heartfelt thanks to the Hon’ble Chief Minister and Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor for responding to longstanding appeals for stronger enforcement mechanisms under the SC/ST Act. He remarked that in recent times, there has been a noticeable rise in atrocities, particularly against Scheduled Castes, and public concern has grown over delays or lapses in registering First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Act at local police stations.
To be mentioned that that under leadership of Mr. Kundal, the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Academy has submitted several memoranda to the offices of both the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor, urging immediate action. He recalled a recent meeting with the Hon’ble Chief Minister Jb. Omar Abdullah at Civil Secretariat, Jammu where these concerns were again brought to the attention.
Highlighting other unresolved issues, Mr. Kundal emphasized the need for urgent steps in areas such as enhancing the annual income ceiling for eligibility to SC/ST scholarships at pre- and post-matric levels, appointment of a full-time Full time Vice-Chairman of SC advisory board, and conferment of proprietary rights to the occupants /allottees of evacuee’s properties.
He expressed confidence that the current leadership will take further decisive measures to address all issues submitted besides some of them mentioned above, ensuring justice and support for marginalized communities across the Union Territory. |
