Wasnik concerned over low rate of conviction under SC, ST Acts

PTI | 10:04 PM,Apr 29,2011

Shimla, Apr 29 (PTI) Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik today voiced concern over the low rate of conviction in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh under the Protection of Civil Rights and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Acts. "The state and district level committees should be set up under the chairmanships of the chief minister and deputy commissioner to review the implementation of such Acts effectively," he told reporters after addressing a meeting to review the implementation of the Acts here. Wasnik said these states should consider setting up exclusive courts to deal with cases relating to these Acts after consulting with the High Court. He said implementation of these Acts in some states were very tardy. Meanwhile, Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Geeta Bhukkal said a state-level monitoring and vigilance committee has been constituted by Haryana government to ensure strict implementation of provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, while district-level committees were being constituted under the chairmanship of deputy commissioners.