Uttar Pradesh SC/ST Commission chairman Brijlal said that Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act will be operational in its original form as the Central government has filed a revision petition. He said that if the Centre's plea is not allowed by the apex court then the BJP-led NDA government would bring a Bill in the Parliament to secure the Act in its original form.
On March 20, the Supreme Court had stayed immediate arrest after the registration of FIR under provisions of Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ ST Act. The SC later refused to stay arrest on the review petition filed by the Centre in May saying that the judgment was only aimed at putting a filter on immediate arrest. The matter was pending before the court.
Addressing media persons in lucknow on Wednesday, Brijlal said that the Commission was committed to development of the Scheduled Tribes and Castes. He said that in his three-month tenure as chairman of the Commission, 925 cases, including 555 cases of atrocities, 278 revenue matters and 92 departmental issues, were resolved while 555 matters were still pending.
Speaking about some major issues against SC/STs, Brijlal said “In the matter of torching of Dalit girl in Azamgarh, the Commission instructed hospital officials to provide immediate medical treatment to the victim. The DM was instructed to provide financial help to the victim's family and after her death, ex-gratia was provided within two days.
He said that the Commission was trying to provide SC/ST caste certificates to people of weaver’s community living in Saharanpur and Meerut divisions under Kori caste. "Besides, the Commission had issued notice to vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University for not providing reservation as per Constitution," he said.
The SC/ST commission chairman said, "From Wednesday, any member of the SC/ST would be able to register complaints online on the website of the Commission. They can also check the status of their complaint on the website."