Chandigarh: During the 28th Full Commission meeting of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, Chairman Sardar Jasvir Singh Garhi issued important instructions to strengthen the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. He directed the Punjab Police to speed up training programs for officers on provisions of the SC/ST Act to minimize police-related complaints received by the Commission.
Jasvir Singh Garhi also asked the Social Justice Department to ensure proper training of roster committees regarding reservation points and the maintenance of roster registers. Furthermore, the General Administration Department was instructed to designate an ADC-rank officer as a nodal officer in each district to fast-track the disposal of cases registered under the SC/ST Act, following the system adopted by the Punjab Police.
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Commission Reviews SC/ST Act Cases, Security Measures at Religious Sites Assessed
At the meeting, senior representatives from the Police, Local Government and Social Justice Departments presented updates on cases registered under the Act. The Commission reviewed compliance with directions issued earlier, including the creation of a dedicated helpline number and the provision of security at Bhuriwale Gurgaddi (Garib Dasi tradition) Dham Shri Ram Moksh Dham in Khurda Tapparian (Nawanshahr), as well as for Gaddi Nashin Acharya Shri Chetna Nand Ji Maharaj. Security measures at Tap Asthan Shri Khuralgarh Sahib and Charan Chhoh Ganga Shri Khuralgarh Sahib were also assessed.
The Social Justice and Empowerment Department was instructed to accelerate the construction of Ambedkar Bhawans in Barnala, Fazilka, Malerkotla, Pathankot and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar. The Ambedkar Bhawan in Tarn Taran is likely to be completed by March 2026. A proposal has also been submitted to double the intake capacity of the Ambedkar Institute in Mohali from 50 to 100 students. In addition, the department was directed to conclude investigations into 59 pending cases involving alleged fake Scheduled Caste certificates within a fixed timeframe.