Punjab SC Commission directs faster SC/ST Act training, reviews key welfare measures
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, February 11, 2026: Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi has directed Punjab Police officials to further expedite training on the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, with the aim of reducing complaints and ensuring effective implementation of the law.
He also instructed the Social Justice and Empowerment Department to organise training sessions for Roster Register Committees regarding reservation points and maintenance of roster registers.
The directions were issued during the 28th Full Commission Meeting of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, where Garhi reviewed the status of cases registered under the SC/ST Act with senior officials from the police, local government and social justice departments.
He further asked the General Administration Department to appoint an ADC-level officer as a nodal officer in each district, on the lines of the Punjab Police system, to ensure swift disposal of cases under the Act.
During the meeting, updates were sought on the establishment of a special helpline number as directed earlier, security arrangements for Dham Shri Ram Moksh Dham at Khurda Tapprian (Nawanshahr), and protection for Gaddi Nashin Acharya Shri Chetna Nand Ji Maharaj.
The Commission also reviewed security measures for the revered sants of Tapasthan Shri Khuralgarh Sahib and Charan Soh Ganga Shri Khuralgarh Sahib, along with action taken to provide security to Commission members.
Garhi also directed officials to accelerate construction of Ambedkar Bhawans in Barnala, Fazilka, Malerkotla, Pathankot and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, stating that the Ambedkar Bhawan at Tarn Taran is expected to be completed by March 2026.
The Director of Local Government was asked to expedite pending cases of compassionate employment for families of sanitation workers who died on duty in municipal councils.
Additionally, the Commission reviewed a proposal to increase student intake at Ambedkar Institute, Mohali from 50 to 100 seats, and instructed the department to complete investigations into 59 pending cases of fake Scheduled Caste certificates in a time-bound manner.
The meeting was attended by Member Secretary Dr. Nayan Jassal, Commission members Rupinder Singh Sital, Gurpreet Singh Ittanwali and Gulzar Singh Bobby, Additional Director General of Police Kostub Sharma, Director Local Government Kulwant Singh, Director Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Vimi Bhullar, and other senior officials.