Chandigarh, September 24
Despite repeated orders from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), the Punjab Government is yet to release compensation announced under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (POA) Rules, 1995, for a family from Phaphre Bhaike village of Mansa.
Taking a dim view of the delay, the NCSC, on orders of its Chairman Vijay Sampla, has issued a fresh notice to the Faridkot Divisional Commissioner asking him to immediately register a case against erring government officials.
DC under lens
- On June 4, NCSC chairman directed Mansa DC to pay Rs8.25L to family, free education to victim’s brother
- The DC appeared before the commission in Delhi and promised immediate release of compensation, but failed to do so
As per information received by the NCSC from petitioner Bhappi Kaur, her 20-year-old son had died upon returning home from a police station. The family alleged the boy was illegally arrested by the police and assaulted in custody.
After the district police and officers failed to take legal action, Sampla visited the victim’s family on June 4 and ordered the Mansa Deputy Commissioner to pay Rs 8.25 lakh in compensation to the family under the SC Act, with immediate release of half of the amount.
Sampla further ordered provision of free education to the victim’s younger brother and a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 to the victim’s mother.
The Mansa Deputy Commissioner even appeared before the commission in Delhi and promised immediate release of compensation, but failed to do so.
The petitioner, in her letter to Sampla on September 21, said the compensation was yet to be released by the District Social Justice and Empowerment Officer, even after passage of several months.
Issuing a notice to the Faridkot Divisional Commissioner, a copy of which has been marked to the Mansa DC for necessary action, Sampla asked officers to ensure immediate release of compensation besides registration of case against the erring officials, under Section 4 of the SC/ST Act, 1989.
He also directed the authorities to investigate the matter and submit the report by September 30 based on the facts and information on the action taken on the allegation/ matter. — TNS
Relief not paid, Faridkot admn told to book erring officials
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