NAC for dedicated courts to try offences under SC/ST Act

Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) today recommended setting up of dedicated courts to try offences under the SC/ST Act on fast track basis besides defining 'wilful negligence' by public servants.
The council also suggested that preventing Dalits and tribals from entering places of worship, imposing social boycott on them should be made punishable offences.
At its meeting here, the NAC deliberated on the proposals of its working group on Dalit issues to amend the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Obstructing members of such groups from using community resources will also be made an offence under amendments proposed by the NAC to the 24-year-old law.

It wanted the government to make provisions in the Act to ensure that the cases are disposed of within three months from filing of the charge sheet.
The NAC also recommended that relevant IPC offences attracting punishment of less than 10 years committed against SCs and STs should be defined as offences under this act.

It also wanted expansion of the scope of presumption as to whether perpetrator had knowledge of the SC/ST identity of the victim, while committing the offence.
It further suggested strengthening State accountability by clearly defining 'wilful negligence' by public servants.
"Rules to the Act be amended to ensure that quantum of relief and rehabilitation is enhanced, and further that it is not calculated as a fixed amount, but adjusted annually to inflation. In addition, the compensation should be released expeditiously," the NAC suggested.

Nandan Nilekani, chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India, made a presentation on the Aadhaar project and Direct Benefit Transfer.