CHANDIGARH: Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Mr. Jasvir Singh Garhi today directed Punjab government officials to prioritize addressing the complaints and concerns of people belonging to the Scheduled Castes. Mr. Garhi was presiding over the 26th meeting of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission held today. He emphasized the Commission’s commitment to protecting the rights of the state’s Scheduled Castes.
At a review meeting in Punjab Bhawan, Chairman Garhi reviewed the status of SC/ST cases and gathered information regarding cases registered under the Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989. He instructed police officials to expedite the resolution of these cases to ensure timely justice for complainants.During the meeting, Mr. Garhi directed the police department to appoint SP-level nodal officers in every district to manage cases registered under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, ensuring swift resolution of complaints related to atrocities.He also recommended establishing a special helpline number, allowing Scheduled Caste individuals to register complaints with the police by phone.
Additionally, he instructed that guards be appointed to ensure the safety of devotees at prominent shrines of the Bhuriwale Gurgaddi (Garib Das) sect—Sri Rakba Sahib (Ludhiana) and Sri Jhandian Dham (Ropar)—as well as for the security of Tap-Ashan and Charan Chhoh Ganga at Sri Khuralgarh Sahib.
Mr. Garhi also directed officials of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department to expedite the construction of Ambedkar Bhawans in Barnala, Fazilka, Malerkotla, Pathankot, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar. He urged acceptance of the land proposal for Ambedkar Bhawan in Barnala and called for the acceleration of incomplete construction work in Tarn Taran district. He instructed the immediate release of Punjab’s pending 40% share of the post-matric scholarship scheme funds for 2017 to 2019 to the concerned colleges and educational institutions, assuring efforts to resolve remaining issues regarding the Centre’s 60% share and outstanding amounts through the National Scheduled Castes Commission.
Further, Mr. Garhi directed Mr. Kulwant Singh, Director of Local Government, to collect data to expedite pending cases of compassionate employment for the families of sanitation workers who died on duty.
The meeting was attended by non-official Commission members Gulzar Singh Bobby, Gurpreet Singh Ittawali, and Rupinder Singh Sheetal; Special Director General of Police, Mr. A.S. Rai; Director of Local Government, Mr. Kulwant Singh, IAS; Director of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Nayan Jassal, PCS; and Secretary of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission.