Ensure SC/ST rape victims get pension: Nitish to DMs

Ahead of his April 17 meeting with Union Home and Social Justice ministers on cases of atrocities against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes,Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered district magistrates to ensure that the monthly pension of Rs 3,000 reaches rape victims and the kin of those killed from SC/ST communities.

Nitish has taken a strong note of district administrations not conforming to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act norm which provides for pension to victims or their kin in case of rape,murder and carnage. There are over 100 cases in which beneficiaries have not received pension. Also,since 1994,police have been able to investigate only 1,895 cases. Over 1,800 such cases are still pending.

Nitish has already announced opening of SC/ST police stations at each district headquarters. At a high-level meeting here on Tuesday,he said: “While it will be the duty of district magistrates to monitor cases of atrocities,Social Welfare department Secretary needs to ensure that such victims or their kin get pension and compensation as per the provisions of the Act.”