Una, June 25: Assistant Commissioner Vinay Modi chaired meetings today (Thursday) regarding the committees constituted under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the 15-Point Programme. While reviewing the effective implementation of the Act, he issued necessary directives to the concerned departments.
During the meeting of the District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee, the Assistant Commissioner emphasized the prevention of caste-based discrimination and the provision of timely justice and relief to victims. He directed that the investigation of cases registered under the Act be expedited. He stated that as of May 31, 2026, 67 cases have been registered in the district, out of which 59 are pending in court. Verdicts have been delivered in three cases; in two cases, sections of the SC/ST Act were dropped following investigation; and police investigations are ongoing in three cases.
He noted that the Act provides for relief amounts ranging from ?1 lakh to ?8.25 lakh to victims, disbursed in a phased manner. He instructed officials to regularly monitor the cases to ensure that victims receive timely relief and justice.
He directed the concerned departments to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the Act and to show no laxity in providing immediate relief and legal protection to victims.
Subsequently, during a review meeting on the 15-Point Programme—an initiative launched by the government for the upliftment of minority communities—the Assistant Commissioner stated that 48 Anganwadi workers and 42 Anganwadi helpers belonging to the minority community are serving under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in Una district. He informed that 673 children (aged six months to six years) and 180 mothers are benefiting from the 'Poshan Abhiyan' (Nutrition Mission) through these Anganwadis. Additionally, 148 children aged 3 to 6 years are receiving pre-school education. He stated that, according to a report by the Deputy Director of Elementary Education, Una, no *madrasas* are currently operating in the district. Students belonging to minority communities can apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal. He further mentioned that under MGNREGA, job cards were issued to 1,968 individuals from minority communities for the year 2025-26; of these, 438 sought employment, and all of them were provided with work.
The Assistant Commissioner informed the meeting that 32 students from minority communities are undergoing training across various trades in the district's government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Additionally, the eligibility criteria for minority community members seeking loans include an age range of 18 to 55 years and an annual family income limit of ?81,000 for rural areas and ?1,03,000 for urban areas.
Officials from various departments, including District Programme Officer Shiv Verma and District Welfare Officer Awas Pandit, were present at the meeting.