Question : UNTOUCHABILITY IN SCHOOLS

(a) whether instances of untouchability including untouchability in schools from specific areas have come to the notice of the Government ;

(b) if so, the approach of the Government for dealing with repeated reports of violation of rights of Scheduled Tribes in specific regions of the country;

(c) whether the Government has identified blocks or districts where the Scheduled Tribe communities are living in risk and are being denied their basis rights and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has any action plan specifically for these areas to ensure that tribals are aware and guaranteed their rights; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA)

(a): No such instance against Scheduled Tribes has come to the notice of this Ministry.

(b) to (e): The Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act, 1989 which was brought into force for preventing crimes against people of SC & ST communities, takes strong view against such issues. There are provisions of Courts, Investigating Officers and Nodal Officers to specifically take appropriate actions in such cases. Punishment provided for under this Act for such offences are more stringent than punishments for corresponding offences prescribed under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other laws. Delineation of identified areas or atrocity prone area are also done by the State Governments as per the Rule 3 (I)
(i) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (PoA) Rules, 1995. The said Rules provides for appointment of a Special Officer not below the rank of an Additional District Magistrate in such areas to co-ordinate with the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police of the district concerned.