Minutes of the State Level Review Meeting taken by Hon ble Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Castes with Chief Secretary, DGP and other Senior Officers of the Govt. of Punjab on 20-01- 2015 at UT Guest House, Chandigarh. National Commission for Scheduled Castes led by Dr. P.L. Punia, Chairman held a State Level Review Meeting with Chief Secretary, DGP and other officers of the Govt. of Punjab on 20-01-2015 at UT Guest House, Chandigarh. Prior to the Review Meeting the Commission met the public representatives belonging to Scheduled Castes and Staff Associations and NGO working for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes in the State of Punjab on 19.1.2015 and obtained feedback about the major problems and grievances being faced by the Scheduled Castes. A List of the participants in the Review Meeting is enclosed at Annexure I. The Review Meeting began by welcome speech by Secretary Welfare, Smt Seema Jain. In her address she welcomed the Commission and introduced the officers participating in the meeting. Hon'ble Chairman then started the meeting by expressing gratitude to Punjab Govt. for conducting the meeting and informed that National Commission for Scheduled Caste is a constitutional body under Article 338 of the Constitution of India. As per its Constitutional mandate, the Commission keeps on visiting the States to investigate the implementation of policies for the welfare of the SCs. He mentioned that in Punjab there are some serious issues like non-implementation of the 85th Constitution Amendment Act regarding reservation in promotion, non-utilization/under-utilisation of funds allocated under SCSP. During the last Review Meeting held on 22-07-2011, the Commission had recommended several measures but ATR received is not satisfactory and steps taken for benefit of SCs are not proper. He expressed that all States have some positive actions taken towards welfare of SCs but Punjab has no good point even though the percentage of SCs in Punjab is maximum in India. Expenditure on SC Specific schemes under the SCSP is merely 2.12% of the total Annual Plan and the remaining funds are spent on general schemes which show that the State Government is not serious about welfare and upliftment of SCs. He also mentioned about the following issued raised by public representatives and representatives of various staff Associations and NGO 19-01-2015: FIR registered in the SC/ST Act, are faulty because Punjab Police is not showing in details various section of the SCs & STs (POA) Act, 1989. Unreasonable requirement of two non-sc witnesses for registration of FIR under the SC & ST (POA) Act, 1989 while FIR should not be conditional. Regularisation of Part Time Sweepers in Punjab. Most of the SC organization of the Punjab raised the issue of the non-implementation of 85th Amendment. Social Security revolving fund has accumulated upto Rs. 500 crores. It should have been released to the beneficiaries through the Deptt. Of Social Welfare and not through the Planning and Finance Deptt. Due to cumbersome procedure no amount has been released from this fund so far. Non-implementation of 85th Constitutional Amendment. Filling up of 20000 Backlog vacancies. Increase in the income limit from Rs. 1.00 lakh for grant of stipend. Development of historic place of Guru Ravidas ji at Khulrargarh, Hoshiarpur. Chairman also noted the absence of DGP and most of the Principal Secretaries and asked the Chief Secretary to inform the Commission in writing of the reasons of the absence of the officers. Thereafter the information/data which was provided by the Govt. of Punjab in response to the Questionnaire of the Commission was taken up for point-wise discussion. General Development Issues: Punjab has the highest concentration of SC (31.9%) in the country but the land holding among them is just 4%. Despite the recommendations of the Commission in the last review for allocating surplus land with the government, there is no action so far.18766 hectare of land is lying vacant which can be distributed to the landless SCs. It may also be informed if land
Committees has been formed at the District level. Also out of 4% most of the land is disputed in various Courts. Hon ble Vice-Chairman also pointed out in Hoshiarpur District 300 Kanal land of SCs is disputed. On the human development index, the state is below the nation average. Current literacy rate among SC male is 61.51% as compared to national average of 75.17%. SC female literacy rate is 55.01% compared to national average of 78.68%. Punjab Govt. has not opened exclusive hostels for SCs which are funded by the Govt. of India. The Secretary, Welfare of SCs/BCs, Punjab informed that the case of opening of new hostels (each of Rs. 1.00 Crore) is sent to the Govt. of India, if the Govt. of India sanctioned this amount then new hostel will be opened in Punjab for SCs. Preset status of the proposal may be provided. Even the coaching centre for SCs are not providing specialize course. In the scheme of Babu Jagjivan Chhatravas Yojana the details are to be provided year-wise funds received from Govt. of India for boys and girls for last three years. Out of the total 5.23 lakh below poverty level ( BPL) families in Punjab more than 61.37% BPL families belong to SC families which shows that SC are not getting proper benefit of the Govt. schemes. It is shown in information that 18 lakh homes are built for SCs, details of these houses may be provided to the Commission. 6.48 Lakh SC has no toilet facility. Action plan of the State Government in this regard may be intimated to the Commission. Dropout rate of SC students is given as 55.07% which is on the very high side. What steps the government has taken and proposes to be taken should be intimated to the Commission. The Commission recommended that Ambedkar Bhawans should be constructed in each district which can be used for the purpose for computer training etc. Old age pension is only Rs. 250 and Shagun scheme is Rs. 1500 but in adjoining states it is much higher, it is needed to be raised. No programme has been formulated by Govt for Poverty alleviation. Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan: The Commission noted that allocation of SCSP funds is about 28% while it should be 32% i.e. equal to the percentage of population in the State. As per the analysis of the Schemes funded from SCSP fund, the Commission noted that expenditure on SC specific schemes is only 2.12% of the total budget allocation of the State. Remaining funds are spent on general schemes. Financial assistance of Rs. 434.7 lakhs was released by the Government of India under SCA during 2010. Due to non-submission of Utilisation Certificate of Rs. 2.77 crore since 2011 no further assistance has been received from the Central Government resulting in non-payment of various scholarships to the students. Out of Rs. 6432 crore reserved under the Special Component Plan for 2014-15, Punjab has spent just Rs. 1655.98 crore in the first six months. Slow spending is matter of concern. SCSP funds are not utilised resulting in to unspent funds of Rs. 10287 crore during the last three years. Financial Commissioner, Revenue present in the meeting informed that the Planning Commission s guideline are being tried to be followed in this matter but the Hon ble Chairman advised to make expenditure through SCSP exclusively for SC only. Secretary, Welfare informed that the matter will be looked into and necessary action will be taken. Secretary, Technical Education informed that the Technical Education Department is working for development of 3000 SC students and over all 2 lacs are targeted for skill development. The
main problem comes with the identification of the students. The skill development will be done at ITI level and training will be provided in PPP Model. The training in short term in different specialization is being provided. Placement rate is 75%. State Government was asked to provide details. Secretary, Medical Education informed that Mid-day meal food prepared is ensured to be hygienic by the department. Different NGOs are preparing the food. Commission asked how many SC cooks are present in the School. The Secretary informed that 70% cooks are SCs. The Commission asked about the 85 seats of the MBBS were de-reserved on what grounds. Secretary informed that the Supreme Court instructions are obeyed as till the 3rd counselling no SC students could qualify but now from this year Punjab Govt. will conduct State PMT and will not opt for AIPMT. The State Government may provide the present status. Director General, School Education, informed there is sufficient number of schools available in the State and also as per RTE if there is no Govt. school in the vicinity of the 02 Kms then private schools needs to give the admission to EWS students. The Commission informed to go through RTE as RTE has the different provision for EWS. Further during the last review, the Commission recommended for opening Ashram School. Progress in this regard may be intimated. Secretary, Social Security, informed the Commission that Aanganwari Centres in the Punjab provides food to BPL women and so the figures of the anemia etc. are low in Punjab as compared to All India. He also informed that the schemes of the social security department are giving benefit to the 85% to the SCs. The details of the SC vis a vis general beneficiaries may be provided Atrocities Total Crime against SCs Hon ble Chairman pointed out the number of FIR registered under SCs (POA) Act, 1989 are very low as compared to the other States in India. Discrepancies have been noted in the statement that has been provided by the State and that available in NCRB (2013) figure. The same is as under: State NCRB State NCRB State Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure 2011 2012 2013 NCRB Figure 83 90 53 71 84 126 The reasons of the discrepancy in data is to be provided Conviction is 25%, 12.5% and 21.87% during the year 2011, 2012 and 2013 which is below the national average 34%. The steps taken to improve the conviction rate is to be provided. The pendency of the cases is high and the disposal of the cases is low in the State of Punjab. Hon ble Member pointed out that one atrocity case of a SC lady Smt. Parveen Kumari was discussed in last review of Punjab wherein her shop was demolished by higher caste person and SC act FIR was registered but to pressurize her a false case is registered against her. That case is still pending. Dates of State Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meetings are not provided. As per information available in the Commission last such meeting was held in 2006. The reasons are to be provided by the State. District Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meetings are not held in districts. Instructions are needed to be given to hold the meeting. No amount was released by the State Govt. from year 2011-12 to 2013-14 under the SC/ST(POA) Act, 1989. The sum of Rs. 434.7 lac as monetary relief to the victims of the atrocities for the year 2010-11 to 2013-14 is not released by the State Govt. The reasons for this are to be provided. ADGP, Crime informed that police department will take all the steps to implement the SC/ST(POA) Act, 1989 properly. He agreed to sensitize the police about the matters like the requirement of the two general caste witness and other procedural lapses by the police. He informed that the at District Level SP(D) is the nodal officer for the Act, but he is also designated as nodal officer for other services and so he is over burden. Investigations with the police department will be cleared early and may be some are pending due to requirement of the FSL report. He informed to give the corrected figures within a week.
He also agreed that there may be some instances where lower staff does the enquiry and DSP sent the report. The Commission was informed about the community policing where Saanj Kender are opened in the State due to which people need not to go to police for any complaint. At Saanj Centre on giving any complaint a unique ID is generated and concerned police officer will conduct enquiry within 15 days DDR or FIR will be registered. He also informed that there is a help line No. 181 where anyone can make complaint. Commission informed it is appreciable work. Service Safeguards The State Govt. lhas not provided the reservation in services as per the population percentage of SCs in the State. The representation of the SCs in Group A,B,C &D has shortfall and there is a mismatch in data provided by the State Govt. Also there are backlog posts in various departments which are to be filled up. Secretary, Welfare informed that 20,000 posts were there as backlog. But they are abolished the Commission asked to provide the details of this matter. Reservation in services in direct recruitment is 25% which needs to be increased to 32%. Reservation in promotion which 14% in Group A and B and 20% in Group C and D also need to be increased. The most important matter affecting Service safeguard of SCs is non-implementation of 85th Constitutional amendment by the state which is to be done by the Govt immediately and the recent order dated 10.10.2014, which is against this amendment, issued by Personnel Department is to be taken back. Manual Scavengers 64 manual scavengers are identified in three districts Patiala, Ludhiana & Bathinda. No details of the action taken regarding rehabilitation of the manual scavengers are provided. The Chief Secretary, Punjab expressed vote of thanks to the Commission for sparing valuable time. He informed that Govt. of Punjab is sensitizing to deal with SC issues and they are proactive in any SC related matter. Govt. will act on the recommendation of the Hon ble National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Bringing the meeting to a close the Hon ble Chairman exhorted the officers present to take the comments of the Commission in the right spirit and to ensure that the various constitutional provisions mandated for the welfare of SCs are implemented without any reservation on part of the officers. Hon ble Chairman thanked the officers present in the meeting for very fruitful and cordial interaction. Hon ble Chairman instructed that the action taken report on the review meeting to be provided within one month and also desired that the Punjab should be in lead role and SC population should feel positivity and security. ******
List of participants of State Level Review Meeting of National Commission for Scheduled Castes with Chief Secretary, DGP & other Sr. Officers of Govt. of Punjab on 20-01-2015 at UT Guest House, Chandigarh. A. National Commission for Scheduled Castes: 1. Shri P.L. Punia, Chairman 2. Shri Raj Kumar Verka, Vice Chairman 3. Shri Raju Parmar, Member 4. Shri Ishwar Singh, Member 5. Smt. P.M. Kamalamma, Member 6. Shri Vinod Aggarwal, Secretary 7. Smt. Smita S. Choudhari, Joint Secretary 8. Shri M.R. Bali, Consultant 9. Shri Jagajit Singh, APS to Chairman 10. Shri R.K. Chhanena, Directsor, Chandigarh 12. Shri R.K. Sharma, Senior Investigator Chandigarh Office B. Punjab Government S.No. Name of the Officers Name of the Department Designation 1 Sh. Sarvesh Kaushal Chief Secretary 2 Sh. Rajesh Bagga Pb.State Commn. for SCs. Chairman 3 Sh.H.S. Nanda Labour Labour Commr. 4. Sh. Vishwajeet Khanna Personnel Secretary 5. Sh. Mohinder Singh Education Dy. Director 6. Sh. Pardeep Aggarwal Education DGSE 7. Sh. Gurdip Singh Education Spl. Secy 8. Sh. A.K. Sud PWSSB CEO 9. Sh. Gurpreet K. Sapra Personnel Spl. Secy. 10. Sh. Vikas Partap Personnel Secretary 11. Sh. Ashok Kumar Gupta Local Govt. Secretary 12. Sh. Jaspal Singh Fin. & Plg. Secretary 13. Sh. J.S. Sandhu Home Affairs Secretary 14. Sh. Hussan Lal Med. Edu. & Res Secretary 15. Sh. V.K.Bhawra Crime ADGP 16. Sh. Sarbjit Singh Industries Joint Director 17. Dr. H.S. Sandhu Animal Husbandry Director 18. Sh. B.K. Sood Fisheries Director 19. Dr. Mangal Singh Agriculture D.A. 20. Sh. Rakesh Verma Technical Edu. Secretary 21. Sh. Dawit Singh Agriculture Spl. Secy. 22. Sh. V.K. Meena Animal Husbandry Dairy Secretary 23. Sh. Vikas Garg Health Spl. Secy. 24. Sh. Vijay Zade Housing & Urban Spl. Secy. 25. Sh. C. Sibin Rural Dev. Director Annexure-I