Telangana to Step Up Measures Against SC, ST Atrocities: CM Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said the Telangana government was committed to the development of Dalits, tribals and Adivasis, stressing that lasting social change could be achieved only through education, employment and skill development. He called for a collective effort, beyond political affiliations, to combat atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Revanth Reddy made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the high-level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee on the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, at the Dr BR Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat. The meeting was the first state-level review of the Act's implementation since Telangana was formed. In undivided Andhra Pradesh, the previous such meeting was held on February 11, 2013.

Officials gave the Chief Minister a detailed assessment of the implementation of the law, including the registration and investigation of cases, trials, disposal of cases, compensation and rehabilitation provided to victims. The meeting also reviewed awareness programmes and the functioning of special and mobile courts dealing with atrocity cases.

According to officials, cases registered under the Act against SCs and STs had declined gradually over the past five years. However, several districts continued to report a high number of cases, with 73 villages identified as areas where such incidents were more frequent. The Chief Minister directed the police department to maintain a special focus on these locations and take preventive measures.

He also instructed officials to hold district-level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meetings regularly and ensure that victims receive compensation, assistance and rehabilitation without delays. Funds for such support, he said, should be released through a green channel instead of being held up by routine budgetary processes.

The Chief Minister specifically referred to the Shabad murder case and the rape and murder of a nurse in Tukkuguda, directing officials to ensure timely justice for the affected families.

Revanth Reddy said the government was giving priority to the welfare of marginalised communities and allocating resources broadly in line with their population share. He said SCs account for around 16 per cent of the state's population, while they constitute 31 per cent of beneficiaries under the Indiramma housing programme. STs, who make up around 10 per cent of the population, have received 17 per cent of sanctioned houses, he said.

The government is also providing breakfast to 27.5 lakh students from nursery to Class 12 and distributing fine rice to 3.48 crore people, he said. Emphasising the transformative role of education, the Chief Minister urged greater efforts to encourage children from disadvantaged communities towards education and sports and reiterated the government's willingness to work across political lines for their advancement.