Nitish stresses on timely disposal of SC/ST Act cases

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today stressed on the need for timely disposal of cases lodged under the SC/ST Act and asked senior officials to look into the causes that may be leading to delays.

Kumar gave the directions here while chairing a meeting of state-level vigilance and monitoring committee constituted under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

At the meeting, functioning of district level vigilance and monitoring committees, construction of police stations dedicated to SC/ST Act cases, appointment of officials for the same and statistics of crimes under the stringent law were discussed, an official release said.

The chief minister also emphasised that those from the depressed classes who have suffered atrocities must be given compensation within a stipulated time frame, on the lines of ex-gratia given to victims of natural calamities.

He also gave instructions that the Inspector General of Police (Weaker Sections) hold consultations with department of law and Director, Prosecution, for improving the conviction rate in cases lodged under the SC/ST Act.