Mangan, March 26 (IPR):
A one-day awareness-cum-sensitisation programme on the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, was held today at the Ravi Panchayat Office, Namok Swayem GPU. Organised by the Social Welfare Department, the event aimed to educate the community about the provisions and significance of this pivotal legislation.
The programme had the presence of Zilla and Ward Panchayat Members of Namok Swayem GPU, SDM Mangan Mr Abhijeet R Patil, ASP Mangan Mr Mani Kumar Tamang, Additional Director, Social Welfare (Gangtok) Mr Mahesh Sharma, Deputy Director (Gangtok) Mr Ram Kumar Tamang, Welfare Officer Mangan Mr Ganesh Thapa, Panel Advocate (DLSA) Ms Sonam Phuti Bhutia, alongside staff of the Social Welfare Department and local residents.
Welfare Officer Mr Ganesh Thapa in his welcome address provided a brief introduction to the subject, emphasising its importance and relevance.
Panel Advocate Ms Sonam Phuti Bhutia elaborated on the Act, highlighting its role in offering protection against physical and emotional abuse, forced labour, and denial of access to public services and infrastructure. She noted that punishments under the Act range from six months to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence, accompanied by fines. Ms Bhutia clarified that offenders under this Act are individuals from communities other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
ASP Mangan Mr Mani Kumar Tamang addressed the roles and responsibilities of the Police Department, detailing the various laws and procedures pertinent to such cases. He also discussed the revised criminal laws, noting that the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
SDM Mangan Mr Abhijeet R Patil underscored the importance of the Act, referencing Article 15 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. He highlighted the extensive reservations available to SC and ST communities in various sectors, including administration, politics, and higher education such as UPSC and other competitive examinations.
Emphasising the importance of utilising these opportunities, he encouraged individuals to actively seek and claim these benefits. He pointed out that such provisions were introduced to bridge the historical socio-economic gaps and ensure equal representation across all fields. He stated that availing these benefits is not just a right but a step towards strengthening our communities and ensuring a more equitable society.
Also addressing the growing concern of youth dependency on drugs and alcohol, SDM Mangan appealed to the community to collectively tackle this issue. He emphasised the importance of timely intervention and counselling, aligning with the objectives of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, a campaign initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 15th August 2020 to combat substance abuse nationwide.
Welfare Inspector Mr Suman Thapa cited a 2018 AIIMS survey, revealing the high prevalence of drug and substance abuse in Sikkim, particularly among children aged 10-17 years. He stressed the need for youth involvement in awareness campaigns and training programmes to address the pressing issue.
During the programme, the resource persons also interacted with the audience and answered their queries.