Government proposes 40% hike in SC/ST atrocity compensation to up to Rs 12 lakh
The government plans a substantial compensation hike for atrocity victims under the SC/ST Act. Financial assistance will also be provided to states for special police stations. This move aims to strengthen the enforcement of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The proposal seeks to address concerns over inadequate institutional infrastructure for handling such cases. Compensation for…
The Indian government is proposing a substantial 40% increase in compensation for victims of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) atrocities, alongside financial support for states to establish specialized police stations to handle such cases more effectively. Presently, compensation for these victims ranges from ₹85,000 to ₹8.25 lakh, contingent upon the severity of the offense.
The proposed changes would elevate the minimum compensation to ₹1 lakh and the maximum to approximately ₹12 lakh, marking the first such hike in ten years, with the last adjustment made in 2016. Additionally, the government plans to offer states a one-time financial aid of ₹5 lakh each to set up these specialized police stations.
Currently, only seven states and Union Territories have implemented such stations, despite the Act's provisions and central assistance. The parliamentary standing committee on social justice and empowerment has expressed concern over the lack of these institutional mechanisms, urging states to establish the necessary infrastructure for the effective enforcement of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times - Economy's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
