Chandigarh, Jan 20 (IANS) The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Tuesday expressed concern over the state of affairs in Punjab with regard to implementation of provisions of Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes Act.
Addressing media persons after review meetings with Punjab officials, NCSC chairman P.L. Punia said the state vigilance and monitoring committee, headed by the chief minister, had not held its meeting since 2006 even though it is required to hold a meeting every six months.
"Similarly, meetings at district levels are also not being held on a regular basis," Punia said.
He said financial assistance for Scheduled Castes under various schemes were not being utilised properly in Punjab.
Punia pointed out that due to reports of funds spent under the Scheduled Caste Special Component Plan released by the central government not being submitted for 2010, Punjab has not got funds from 2011 till 2014.
Incidentally, Punjab has the highest percentage population of Dalits at nearly 31 percent.
Punia said that as per norms, 32 percent of plan funds needed to be assigned for plans related to Scheduled Castes.
"The state government had agreed that it could assign only 28 percent funds, but in actuality, the funds being spent exclusively for SC related schemes were meagre two percent," Punia said.
Punjab has a Bharatiya Janata Party-Akali Dal alliance government since 2007.
"Another serious lapse noticed by the commission was non-filling up of 20,000 backlog vacancies in the SC category. The state government's attention has been drawn towards this. On the atrocities against SC people too, delays have been noticed in filling of FIRs, as well as in trials leading to very low conviction rate," he said.
The Punjab government claimed that the commission lauded the initiatives taken in the field of governance reforms, especially of 'Saanjh Kendras' and the 181 police helpline for helping curtail harassment of people in public offices.
AUS vs PAK: Pat Cummins gave a funny answer to Hafeez's statement 'Pakistan played better than Australia', said a big thing
Australia defeated Pakistan in the second Test and took a 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series. Australian fast bowlers wreaked havoc in the second test. Pakistani batsmen had no success in front
Modi Cabinet Decisions: Modi government's gift to farmers, MSP approved for 14 Kharif crops; PM said this big thing
Farmers are the priority of the central government. The Union Cabinet took an important decision on Wednesday and increased the minimum support price (MSP) on 14 crops of the Kharif season. The third
Bengal CM faces angry protests over nun gang rape
Kolkata, March 16 (IANS) Angry over the police's failure to arrest any of the dacoits who gang raped a nun in West Bengal's Nadia district, scores of locals on Monday stopped visiting Chief
Russia leaves Saudi Arabia behind in oil issue, Arab countries' crisis deepens
In March this year, there was a dispute in Saudi Arabia and Russia about the price of oil. Saudi Arabia wanted Russia to reduce oil production so that falling international oil prices could be
Tribal areas can be kept out of the purview of UCC, Law Commission has received 19 lakh suggestions so far
In some parts of the country, including the northeastern states, tribal groups may be considered for exclusion from the purview of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi put forward
CM Yogi Cabinet Meeting: Yogi Cabinet in Maha Kumbh, ten proposals may get approval; All ministers will take a bath.
A cabinet meeting will be held on Wednesday at Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In this, 10 major proposals related to public welfare and the
New revelation in Delhi blast: Brainwashed in a rented room... Jasir, at the last moment, denies carrying out a suicide attack.
Another shocking information has emerged regarding the white-collar doctor terrorist module. The mastermind, Dr Umar Nabi, had been searching for a suicide bomber since last year. Investigating
Mallikarjun Kharge: Complaint filed against Congress President in Bihar, he had given a statement regarding bathing in Maha Kumbh.
A complaint has been filed in Muzaffarpur Court against Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge. This case is related to an alleged controversial statement made by senior Congress leader Kharge
Environmentalists Welcome Green Court Ruling on Yamuna
New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) Describing it as "well reasoned", environment experts Wednesday welcomed the National Green Tribunal judgement against waste in the Yamuna, while calling for an effective
Indian, Pakistani armies exchange sweets on LoC
Jammu, Jan 26 (IANS) The Indian and Pakistani armies Monday exchanged sweets on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on India's 66th Republic Day, an official said."On the proud occasion of
