Question : UNTOUCHABILITY

(a) whether the Government is aware of the findings of the survey conducted by the National Council of Applied Economic Research and University of Maryland, USA which has revealed that 1/4th of Indians still practice untouchability;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether untouchability is more prevalent in Northern India; and

(d) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to root out the practice of untouchability in the country and generate more awareness in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a) & (b): The National Council of Applied Economic Research, which was requested to furnish a copy of its survey report on practice of untouchability, has informed that the report has not yet been published.

(c): Article 17 of the Constitution of India has abolished “Untouchability”, its practice in any form forbidden and enforcement of any disability arising out of “Untouchability” is an offence punishable in accordance with law. An Act of Parliament namely, the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, 1955, prescribes punishment for the enforcement of any disability arising from the practice of untouchability.

As per the data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs, during 2013, 87 cases were registered under the PCR Act in the country and amongst the Northern States/Union Territories, 4 cases in Himachal Pradesh and 3 cases in Delhi were registered during the period.

(d): The PCR Act is implemented by the concerned State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. With a view to ensure effective implementation of provisions of the Act, Central assistance is provided to States/Union Territories, which includes strengthening of the enforcement machinery, incentive for inter caste marriages and awareness generation. This Ministry has been addressing them to implement provisions of the Act in letter and spirit.

A Committee under the Chairpersonship of Union Minster for Social Justice & Empowerment which was constituted in the year 2006 also periodically reviews from time to time implementation status of the PCR Act in State/UTs.