Article 17 of the Constitution of India has abolished ‘untouchability’, and forbidden its practice in any form. Enforcement of any disability arising out of ‘untouchability, is an offence in accordance with provisions of the Protection of Civil Rights {PCR}Act, 1955, which is an Act of Parliament. Likewise, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) {PoA} Act, 1989, another Act of Parliament which also falls within the provisions of Article 17 and 35(a) (ii) of the Constitution, was enacted for preventing atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, to provide for Special Courts for the trial of such offences as well as relief and rehabilitation of the victims of atrocities. These two Acts are implemented by the concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.  

As the PCR and PoA Acts are implemented by the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, with a view to ensure its effective implementation, Central assistance is provided to them under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementation of the PCR and PoA Acts,  mainly for following purposes:-

• Functioning and strengthening of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Protection Cell and Special Police Stations.
• Setting up and functioning of exclusive Special Courts.
• Relief and Rehabilitation of atrocity victims.
• Incentive for Inter-Caste Marriages.
• Awareness generation.

The funding pattern of the Scheme is such that, over and above the committed liability of respective State Governments, the expenditure is shared between Centre and States on 50:50 basis and Union Territories receive 100% Central assistance, on the basis of their specific proposals in a prescribed performa for a financial year.   

Monitoring of implementation of scheme is done through the following: -

• A detailed performa has been devised for ascertaining physical and financial performance of the Scheme.
• Visits of Officers to States/UTs during which discussions on the Scheme are held from time to time.
• Discussion on the Scheme during the conference of States/UTs Ministers/ Secretaries of Social Welfare Department and in meeting of the High Power Committee. 

State/UT-wise amount of Central assistance released under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, during the financial years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16

(Rs. in lakhs)

State/UT wise number of persons provided relief under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, during 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16

State/UT wise number of persons provided incentives for inter-caste marriages covered during 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16

Note:- NA= Not available

SCHEME DOCUMENT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PCR and PoA ACTS

Merger of Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages & Dr. Ambedkar National relief to the scheduled castes/scheduled tribes victims of Atrocities Schemes