Tamil Nadu is one of the 10 States in the country which has a high cases of atrocities against people belonging to Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe communities, said Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale.
The Minister held a review meeting with the State authorities on Central schemes on Monday.
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After the meeting, he told reporters that the number of cases reported under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 in Tamil Nadu during 2015 was 1,822.
The next year, the State recorded 1,476 cases, and in 2017, the reported cases were 1,381. In 2018, 223 incidents were reported, he said.
The number of murders was 51 in 2015, 53 2016, 52 in 2017 and nine in 2018.
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“The number of atrocities committed is big when compared to other States. It has to be brought down,” he said.
He stated that 2,572 inter-caste marriages took place in the State in 2016-17 and 2,181 in 2017-18.
“The communities must understand and support each other, instead of merely attacking couples who want to get married,” he said.
Special courts
“There are only six special courts whereas there must be one in each district. I have also asked the authorities to not extend cases beyond a year,” the Minister said.
Pre-matric scholarships, were provided to 3.28 lakh SC students, 6,495 ST students and 1.20 lakh students from OBC. Post-matric scholarships were provided to over 5 lakh students belonging to these communities. However, only five students were provided overseas scholarships, which, the Minister said, could be increased.
He added that all the backlog in vacancies must be filled.
He said if the funds meant for the welfare of SC/STs are found to be diverted, strict action would be taken. “Currently, there is a balance of ₹51 crore meant for their welfare. It must not be used for any other purpose,” he said. “I will also write the Chief Minister to examine the infrastructure of hostels built for SC/ST students,” he added.