With the aim to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Gujarat, review such cases and take  appropriate action, a meeting of the State-level Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Vigilance and Monitoring Committee was held at Swarnim Sankul in Gandhinagar.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel led the meeting, attended by the state’s SC/ST MLAs, state government ministers and officials, along with DGP Vikas Sahay, and other top police officials.

Earlier in the day, opposition Congress leader Amit Chavda had inquired about the vigilance meeting, where the government had responded that it has to be held twice a year.

During the discussion on this issue, Chavda accused the government of failing to stop the atrocities committed against the SC and ST. He alleged that the chief minister of the state had organised a meeting only when one of his party’s MLAs had approached the court to seek a redress and the issue was raised in the House on Friday.

Chavda alleged that the CM has the time to play Dhuleti and cricket, but is not available for the meeting on important issues.

The meeting was held today to discuss the following agendas –

• Details of the steps taken under the minutes of the meeting held on September 26,2024
• Review of incidents against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from July-2024 to December-2024 under POA Act {Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act - 1989} & PCR Act (Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955)
• Details of assistance paid in incidents of atrocities against Scheduled Castes
• Review of details of police protection provided in incidents of atrocities against SC/ST
• Review of disposal and pending cases by the court
• Review of Special Court and Exclusive Special Court under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act - 1989
• State level Discussions and action will be taken on the review of meetings held by the Vigilance Committee and District Level Vigilance Committee
• Review of the re-nomination of non-governmental members nominated to the District Vigilance Committee
• Steps taken for social harmony and other issues raised