Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Indian Institute of Public Administration, JK Regional Branch in collaboration with Department of Social Welfare, Government of Jammu and Kashmir organized a sensitization workshop on the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 with an objective to realize the vision of Government to promote social integration, equality and mainstreaming the marginalized section of the society.
The workshop was attended by over 90 senior officers representing various stakeholder departments of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. DC Raina, Advocate General, Government of Jammu & Kashmir while deliberating on the origin and genesis of the acts, said that while legal and constitutional provisions focus on prevention and protection aspects, the real change in the society can only be achieved by inculcating moral and ethical values. He was of the view that a society is gauged by nature of rights the citizens enjoy and he urged upon the officers to look into the effective implementation of the acts so as to curb the social menace.
Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Social Welfare in her address emphasized that while effective implementation of the legal provisions is essential, it is the duty of the society to protect and eliminate any kind of discrimination on grounds of colour, caste, gender and creed. She informed that prior to the reorganization of J&K in 2019, the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 were not applicable to the region and now with the effective implementation of these acts, it will protect the rights and provide social justice and empowerment for their inclusive development.
Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary to the Government, Tribal Affairs Department (Addl. charge of Chief Executive Officer, Mission Youth & Mission Director, Skill Development Mission) in his address informed that there is a vertical migration of over 6,12,000 tribals in Jammu and Kashmir every year and there is an urgent need for policy makers to ensure their inclusion and equality. He was of view that discrimination against these nomadic communities persists in terms of education, health, child care and livestock and therefore, sensitizing the stakeholders is of utmost importance.
BR Sharma, Chairman, IIPA J&K Regional Branch in his presidential remarks said that there is a need to create an eco-system to tackle the menace of social discrimination and move towards a more inclusive society. He said that the way to move forwards is that the public servants should emerge as change makers and create more awareness to build a public opinion leading to the end of discrimination.
Prof Vijay Nagpal, former Chairman, Department of Law, Panjab University Chandigarh in his lecture on “Constitutional Perspective significance and implementation of The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955” laid emphasis that it is important to understand the psychological point of view of the victim rather than merely focusing upon criminal jurisprudence.
Dr Nupur Tiwary, Special Director, National Tribal Research Institute and Head, Centre of Excellence for Tribal Affairs, IIPA, New Delhi in her lecture on “Historical Perspective, Significance and Effective Implementation of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989” talked about the need to address the unresolved issues of indignity, humiliation and harassment of SC/ST – the marginalized sections of the society.
Earlier, Prof Alka Sharma, Hony Secretary, IIPA welcomed the dignitaries and the participants. Dr Anil Gupta, Joint Secy conducted the proceedings and presented the formal vote of thanks.
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