Chandigarh, February 10 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini announced that the grant given as an incentive to outstanding Panchayats working for the welfare of Scheduled Castes will be increased from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. He also announced the establishment of an Investigation Wing in every police station.
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was chairing the meeting of the State-Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee to review the implementation of the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 in Chandigarh. Development and Panchayat Minister Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi were also present in the meeting.
The Chief Minister said that the criteria for selecting outstanding Panchayats include ensuring that no atrocities are committed against SCs, full utilization of SC Component funds, conducting campaigns against drug abuse in villages, preventing stubble burning, resolving drinking water problems, among others. For this, provision has been made for Panchayat incentives at the state, district, and sub-division levels.
The Chief Minister said that in SC/ST cases, charge sheets should be filed in court within 60 days so that such cases can be disposed of expeditiously. He said that under the three new criminal laws implemented by the government, there is also a provision to file charge sheets within 60 days. Separate investigating officers should also be appointed for these cases.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that since 2021, crimes against women, apart from Scheduled Castes, have declined in the state. In addition, there has also been a decrease in cases of robbery, property-related crimes, and threats. He said that atrocities or harassment against Scheduled Castes will not be tolerated at any level. Immediate action should be taken in such cases. At the same time, if anyone files a false complaint, action should also be taken against them. In cases of mutual compromise, it should be examined whether the settlement was made under pressure or inducement.
The Chief Minister said that eminent citizens should be included in meetings held at district and sub-division levels. In addition, in every district, the Deputy Commissioner must conduct at least four District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meetings within a year to review the SC Act. He informed that during 2025-26, financial assistance amounting to ₹8.84 crore was provided for relief and rehabilitation to 796 victims of atrocities.
The Chief Minister said that under the Social Harmony Inter-Caste Marriage Shagun Scheme, financial assistance of ₹31.62 crore was provided to 1,265 beneficiaries during the current financial year, including 807 women and 458 men. This is a commendable step towards social harmony. Apart from this, speech, essay competitions, debates, and seminars on prevention of atrocities are being organized in schools and colleges.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister’s Chief Principal Secretary Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Smt. G. Anupama, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh. Arun Gupta, Additional Principal Secretary Dr. Saket Kumar, DGP Sh. Ajay Singhal along with other members.
