Chandigarh, October 31:
The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission will start a Virtual Court from January 2026 to make its proceedings more accessible and citizen-friendly. Announcing this, Commission Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Gharhi said the initiative will ensure that people from remote parts of the state can easily attend hearings without having to travel to Chandigarh. He was presiding over the 27th Full Commission meeting of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission here today.
S. Gharhi pointed out that individuals from far-flung areas currently spend significant time and money travelling to Chandigarh for case hearings. To address this concern, the Commission is coordinating with officials to establish a Virtual Courtroom. He said that the new courtroom for the Commission is being set up on the fourth floor of the Punjab Civil Secretariat, which will be completed and become functional by November.
He further informed that following the Commission’s efforts, the Police Department has appointed SP-rank Nodal Officers in every district to handle cases registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. At the state level, DIG-rank officer Mr. Naveen Saini (DGP Crime) has been assigned to oversee these matters, while AIG Ms. Surinderjit Kaur will serve as the Commission’s Nodal Officer. Special DGP Mr. Naresh Arora will work closely with Chairman Jasvir Singh Gharhi to strengthen coordination between the Commission and the Police Department.
He said that during today’s meeting, senior officers from the Police, Local Government, Social Justice and other departments presented reports on the status of cases registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The meeting also reviewed compliance with the directions issued during the 26th Full Commission meeting, which included establishing a dedicated helpline number, deploying security guards at Bhuriwale Gurugaddi Dham (Garib Dassi tradition) at Sri Rakba Sahib (Ludhiana) and Sri Jhandian Dham (Rupnagar) to ensure safety of devotees and arranging security at Sri Khuralgarh Sahib, the sacred place associated with Sri Guru Ravidass Ji. Action taken on providing security to Commission members was also discussed.
S. Gharhi said the Commission also sought progress reports from officers of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment regarding expediting the construction of Ambedkar Bhawans in Barnala, Fazilka, Malerkotla, Pathankot, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar. Updates were also taken on the release of pending funds under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for 2017–2019 to colleges and educational institutions as per the 40% state share and on resolving the issue of Rs.1550 crore (60% central share) for the 2017–2020 period by coordinating with the Union Government. The Commission also reviewed pending cases related to compassionate appointments for families of sanitation workers who lost their lives while on duty.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Commission Members Rupinder Singh Seetal, Gurpreet Singh Ittanwali, Gulzar Singh Bobby, Special DGP Mr. Naresh Arora, Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Director Mrs. Vimi Bhullar, officers from the Local Government Department, Commission Member Secretary Dr. Lain Jassal, DIG Mr. Naveen Saini, AIG Ms. Surinderjit Kaur and several senior officers from various departments.
