Uttar Pradesh blind to crimes against dalits: SC panel

JAIPUR: Criticising Uttar Pradesh government for its alleged inaction in checking atrocities against Dalits, chairman of National Commission for SC on Wednesday alleged that there is pressure from authorities to not register cases.

"In Uttar Pradesh, no action is taken against Dalit atrocities under the pressure from the state government. Primarily, no case is registered and if the case is registered, no action is taken against the culprits," PL Punia, chairman of National Commission for SC said here. Advocating for reservation in private sector and in judiciary, Punia said that the reservation should be introduced in private sector considering shortage of government jobs.

"There is now shortage of government jobs in the country so a reservation pattern should be introduced in private sectors also for the upliftment of needy people," he said at a press conference here.

"Reservation should also be implemented in judiciary and the system of reservation in promotion in services should also be maintained," he said.

Informing that eight new offices of the commission, including one at Jaipur, would be opened in the country after cabinet's approval, he said that those offices will surely strengthen the functioning of the commission.

Punia expressed satisfaction over conviction rate in dalit atrocity cases in the Rajasthan.

"Rajasthan has a good conviction rate, about 45 per cent, in Dalit atrocity cases while in some states, it is only three per cent. Though the conviction rate in Rajasthan is good, it can be improved further," he said.

During his two-day visit, which concluded today, Punia held discussions with officers to review the condition of Dalit.