Government Strengthens SC/ST Atrocities Act Implementation Through Financial Assistance
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has reinforced the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 through sustained financial and institutional support to States and Union Territories. The support aims to ensure timely relief to victims, effective enforcement of the law, and protection of the rights and dignity of SC/ST communities.
Crime Statistics and Conviction Rates
According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data compiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 57,569 cases were registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for crimes against Scheduled Castes and 10,064 cases for crimes against Scheduled Tribes during 2022. In 2023, registrations increased to 57,766 SC cases and 12,959 ST cases, while 2024 saw 55,685 SC cases and 9,961 ST cases. As of 2024, 17,123 cases relating to Scheduled Castes and 7,219 cases relating to Scheduled Tribes were pending investigation. The All India conviction rate under the Act stood at 34.1% for SC cases and 28.1% for ST cases in 2022, 32.4% and 24.6% respectively in 2023, and 33.9% and 33.2% respectively in 2024.
Financial Assistance and Victim Support
The Central Government is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for strengthening enforcement machinery of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. During 2022-23, Central Assistance amounting to ₹392.71 crore was released to States and Union Territories, benefiting 88,172 victims. In 2023-24, assistance increased to ₹535.30 crore, providing relief to 79,667 victims. During 2024-25, ₹495.29 crore was released, benefiting 99,965 victims across the country. Cumulatively, over 1.18 lakh victims received relief during this three-year period through total assistance of ₹1,423.3 crore.
Implementation Framework
The responsibility for maintaining law and order, investigating offences, and preventing crimes rests with respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, as 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. The Central Government issues advisories to States and UTs for strengthening the criminal justice system with special emphasis on preventing crimes against SCs and STs. The Ministry continues to work in close coordination with State Governments and UT Administrations to ensure effective implementation of the Act, strengthening access to justice and safeguarding constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.