MP to issue directive against misuse of SC/ST Act: Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Thursday announced that a directive will be issued shortly to ensure that the amended SC/ST Act is not misused in the state.

He was replying to a query on the protests in the state against the Parliament clearing the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018 in August restoring some stringent provisions of the Act.

"The misuse of the (amended) SC/ST Act will not be allowed in MP. Only after a thorough probe, a case will be registered under it. To this end, a directive will be issued shortly," Chouhan Thursday told reporters.

A nationwide bandh called on September 6 by some upper caste gropus against the restoration of some of the provisions of the SC/ST Act had met with a good response in poll-bound MP.

Chouhan has also been targeted by some elements from these groups. On September 2, an organisation opposing these amendments had created ruckus at his public rally in the state's Sidhi district.

Police vehicles in Ujjain were stoned Monday by members reportedly belonging to groups opposed to these amendments.

Speaking about Congress leader Digvijay Singh Wednesday filing a case against him in a Bhopal court in connection with the Vyapam scam, Chouhan called it an act of frustration.

The Vyapam scam refers to irregularities in exams held by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board, also called Vyavasayik Pareeksha Mandal or Vyapam, for admission of in professional courses and state services.

The Congress was indulging in such things to remain in the news, Chouhan claimed.