The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : ‘Do not misuse SC/ST Act’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 22, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

‘Do not misuse SC/ST Act’

Staff Reporter

GUDIVADA: The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 should be used judiciously, and if the authorities detect any false cases being foisted on the members of other communities, stringent action will be taken against such complainants for misusing the Act, said M. Nagarjuna, Chairman of State SC and ST Commission here on Thursday.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of inaugural function of the 23rd AP State Inter-District Youth Basketball championship at NTR Stadium, Mr. Nagarjuna said that the Act was meant to protect the weaker sections from the atrocities committed on them by members of other communities. It could not be misused to settle personal scores, he said. So far, 4,500 cases had been registered, and, of late, there was a steep fall in registration of cases under the Act, he added.

Jobs to dependants

Mr. Nagarjuna said he had made a recommendation to the State Government to provide jobs to dependants of those among the weaker sections who were subjected to rape or gang rape. “The Government is offering jobs to the kith and kin of those who lose their lives in the atrocities committed against them. The cases of rape and gang rape should also be viewed on a similar humanitarian grounds,” he reasoned.

“I have submitted a proposal for appointment of special deputy superintendents of police to deal with the cases registered under the Act,” he said.

He acknowledged a demand made by the SCs and STs of Gudivada town for a cremation ground, and asked the Gudivada Municipality to look into the matter.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh