Jasvir Singh Garhi Issues Strict Instructions to Officials; Ensures Effective Implementation of SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 28, 2025:
Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi today directed Punjab government officials to prioritize addressing the complaints and concerns of Scheduled Caste communities. Presiding over the 26th meeting of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission at Punjab Bhawan, Garhi emphasized the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of Scheduled Castes in the state.
During the meeting, Garhi reviewed the status of cases registered under the Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, and instructed police officials to expedite case resolutions to ensure timely justice for complainants. He directed the police department to appoint SP-level nodal officers in every district to manage SC/ST atrocity cases efficiently and recommended establishing a special helpline for Scheduled Caste individuals to register complaints by phone.
Garhi also ordered the appointment of guards to ensure safety at key shrines of the Bhuriwale Gurgaddi (Garib Das) sect, including Sri Rakba Sahib (Ludhiana), Sri Jhandian Dham (Ropar), and for the security of Tap-Ashan and Charan Chhoh Ganga at Sri Khuralgarh Sahib.
He instructed officials of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department to accelerate construction of Ambedkar Bhawans in Barnala, Fazilka, Malerkotla, Pathankot, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar. Garhi urged swift acceptance of the land proposal for Ambedkar Bhawan in Barnala and emphasized expediting incomplete work in Tarn Taran. He also directed the immediate release of Punjab’s pending 40% share of post-matric scholarship funds for 2017-2019 to concerned colleges, assuring efforts to resolve issues related to the Centre’s share through the National Scheduled Castes Commission.
Further, Garhi directed Kulwant Singh, Director Local Government, to collect data and expedite pending compassionate employment cases for families of sanitation workers who died on duty.
The meeting was attended by non-official Commission members Gulzar Singh Bobby, Gurpreet Singh Ittawali, Rupinder Singh Sheetal; Special Director General of Police A.S. Rai; Director Local Government Kulwant Singh, IAS; Director Social Justice and Empowerment Nayan Jassal, PCS; and Secretary of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission.