Panel Suggests Higher Relief, Counselling for SC/ST Victims of Atrocities
An internal government task force has proposed amendments to the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Rules, including increased relief amounts and counselling for victims and accused. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes also suggested provisions to protect tribal livelihoods during land disputes
Key takeaways
- An internal government task force has recommended increasing relief and rehabilitation amounts for victims of atrocities under the SC/ST Act.
- The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) proposed amendments to protect tribal livelihoods during land disputes and prevent counter-filings of FIRs.
- Current relief amounts, set in 2016, range from ₹85,000 to ₹8.25 lakh depending on the crime's severity.
- The proposed changes follow the 2018 amendments to the Act, which were made after widespread protests against a Supreme Court ruling.
An internal government task force has put forth recommendations for amending the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules. The proposed changes aim to enhance financial support and counselling services for victims of atrocities and their dependents. The task force's report, submitted on July 31, includes suggestions to increase the mandatory relief and rehabilitation amounts paid to victims, adjusted for inflation.
What Happened
The task force, led by the Secretary of Social Justice and Empowerment, has drafted amendments to rules under the SC/ST Act. Key recommendations include raising the current relief and rehabilitation sums, which range from ₹85,000 to ₹8.25 lakh and were last set in 2016. These amounts are determined by the severity of the crime and the harm inflicted on victims. Additionally, the task force suggests establishing special relief and rehabilitation cells within States and Union Territories.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has also put forward separate amendments to the Atrocities Act. A primary focus of the NCST's suggestions is to introduce measures that protect the livelihoods of Scheduled Tribe communities facing prolonged land disputes and dispossession. The NCST further advocates for mechanisms to prevent the registration of retaliatory "counter FIRs" against individuals who report atrocity cases to the police.
Key Facts
- An internal government task force recommended amendments to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules.
- The task force suggested raising relief and rehabilitation amounts for victims of atrocities to account for inflation.
- Current relief and rehabilitation amounts range from ₹85,000 to ₹8.25 lakh, established in 2016.
- The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) proposed amendments focusing on protecting the livelihoods of Scheduled Tribe communities dispossessed of land.
- The NCST also called for measures to prevent the registration of "counter FIRs" against atrocity victims.
- The task force submitted its report to the government on July 31.
Background
The SC/ST Act was last amended in 2018 following widespread protests triggered by a Supreme Court ruling that required prior permission for arrests and allowed anticipatory bail in such cases. The current discussions around amendments occur amid a growing anti-reservation movement that also campaigns against the alleged misuse of the Atrocity Act, with some activists arguing that the law incentivizes false accusations.
The NCST's focus on livelihoods stems from instances where tribal individuals involved in land disputes lack income sources while legal battles continue. One suggestion involves enabling local officials, such as the District Magistrate, to permit tribals to use disputed land for their livelihood during the pendency of court cases. The issue of "counter FIRs" is also highlighted as a means of intimidation against victims who report atrocities.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
