Scheduled Castes panel slams Punjab government

Chandigarh, January 20: The tiol Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Tuesday expressed concern over the state of affairs in Punjab with regard to implementation of provisions of Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes Act. Addressing media persons after review meetings with Punjab officials, NCSC chairman P.L. Punia said the state vigilance and monitoring committee, headed by the chief minister, had not held its meeting since 2006 even though it is required to hold a meeting every six months. “Similarly, meetings at district levels are also not being held on a regular basis,” Punia said. He said fincial assistance for Scheduled Castes under various schemes were not being utilised properly in Punjab. Punia pointed out that due to reports of funds spent under the Scheduled Caste Special Component Plan released by the central government not being submitted for 2010, Punjab has not got funds from 2011 till 2014. Incidentally, Punjab has the highest percentage population of Dalits at nearly 31 percent. Punia said that as per norms, 32 percent of plan funds needed to be assigned for plans related to Scheduled Castes. (IANS)