Punjab Newsline,Chandigarh:
Punjab Directs Faster Training on SC/ST Act Implementation and Strengthens Monitoring Mechanism
Chandigarh: At the 28th Full Commission meeting of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, Chairman Sardar Jasvir Singh Garhi issued key directives to ensure the effective implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. He instructed the Punjab Police to accelerate the training process for officers regarding the SC/ST Act to help reduce police-related complaints received by the Commission.
The Chairman also directed the Social Justice Department to conduct proper training for roster-related committees on reservation points and the maintenance of roster registers. The General Administration Department was instructed to appoint an ADC-level officer as a nodal officer in every district to expedite the disposal of cases registered under the SC/ST Act, following the model adopted by the Punjab Police.
During the meeting, senior officials from the Police, Local Government, and Social Justice Departments presented status reports on cases registered under the Act. The Commission reviewed compliance with directions issued in the previous meeting, including the establishment of a special helpline number and the deployment of security guards at Bhuriwale Gurgaddi (Garib Dasi tradition) Dham Shri Ram Moksh Dham at Khurda Tapparian (Nawanshahr), as well as for Gaddi Nashin Acharya Shri Chetna Nand Ji Maharaj. Security arrangements at Tap Asthan Shri Khuralgarh Sahib and Charan Chhoh Ganga Shri Khuralgarh Sahib were also reviewed.
The Social Justice and Empowerment Department was directed to expedite the construction of Ambedkar Bhawans in Barnala, Fazilka, Malerkotla, Pathankot, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar. The Ambedkar Bhawan in Tarn Taran is expected to be completed by March 2026. A proposal has also been sent to the government to increase the capacity of Ambedkar Institute, Mohali, from 50 to 100 students. Additionally, the department was instructed to complete investigations into 59 pending cases of fake Scheduled Caste certificates in a time-bound manner.