REMOVAL OF UNTOUCHABILITY UNDER PROGRAMME FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACT-1955 AND THE SCHEDULED CASTES & SCHEDULED TRIBES (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) ACT, 1989 (50:50)
(i) IMPLEMENTATION OF PCR ACT 1955-Removal of Untouchability.
To remove untouchability from its grass root level, a scheme namely “Removal of Untouchability under Protection of Civil Rights Act-1955” was introduced in the State of Punjab during the year 1986-87. Under this scheme, encouragement award is given to inter caste married couples (wherein one of the spouse belongs to Scheduled Caste), Panchayats, Voluntary Organization who work for the all around development of Scheduled Caste are given suitable financial assistance. Beside this, seminars, debates and Mass Lunch are also organized at Block level. Wide publicity of Welfare Schemes is also made through advertisement in various News papers and distribution of Pamphlets etc. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and the budget is share by the State Govt. and Centre Govt. on 50:50 basis. An amount of Rs. 50,000/- is provided to Inter Caste married couples and an amount of Rs. 25,000/- is also provided to Panchayats who are doing outstanding work for the development of Scheduled Caste Community.
(ii) IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHEDULED CASTES & SCHEDULED TRIBES (POA) ACT 1989-
SETTING UP OF PROTECTION CELLS AND MONETARY RELIEF.
As per the 2001 Census, the total population of the Punjab State is 2.43 Crore, out of which 70.28 lac belong to Scheduled Castes which makes 28.85% of the total population of the State. Efforts have been made to minimize atrocities on Scheduled Castes. With the enactment of Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, it has become imperative for the State Government to take effective measures for the prevention of atrocities and for coping with any offence under this act.
As a result of the same, a scheme namely, “Setting up of SC Protection Cell and Providing Monetary relief to the victim of atrocities and their dependents” has been formulated for the rehabilitation of the victim of atrocities. Under this scheme, various incentives/monetary relief is provided to the victim of atrocity as per the norms laid down by the Govt. of India under POA Rules, 1995.
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