CM Chandrababu Directs Officials To Speed Up SC, ST Atrocities Case Investigations

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to accelerate the investigation of cases registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and ensure that victims receive justice without unnecessary delays.

Chairing a state-level high-power committee meeting on the implementation of the Act and the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes at his camp office in Amaravati on Saturday, Chandrababu stressed the need for an effective system that ensures offenders are punished while preventing the law from being misused.

The Chief Minister called for a special study in Guntur, Anantapur, East Godavari and Prakasam districts, where a comparatively high number of atrocity cases have been reported. He said the assessment should go beyond case numbers and examine the nature of offences, their underlying causes and the time taken to resolve them.

Chandrababu also expressed displeasure over 131 pending district-level meetings, directing officials to engage more closely with SC and ST communities and understand their problems at the grassroots level.

With 25 years having passed since the Justice Punnayya Commission submitted its report, the Chief Minister ordered a comprehensive review of the changes in the social and economic conditions of SCs and STs since then. He called for coordinated efforts by all departments to promote economic empowerment while also building confidence among members of these communities.

Education was another major focus. Chandrababu directed officials to give special attention to SC and ST students and create opportunities for them to gain admission to premier institutions such as IITs and IIMs. He also called for the introduction of a ‘Net Zero’ approach in SC and ST student hostels, along with greater attention to health and living conditions.

The Chief Minister said substantial funds were being allocated for SC and ST welfare and urged elected representatives to ensure that schemes translate into tangible improvements in living standards. He also emphasised skill development for young people to improve their prospects for employment both within India and abroad.

Chandrababu said SC and ST corporations, which he alleged had been weakened by the previous government, were being revived under the present coalition administration. He directed the SC and ST Finance Corporations to undertake large-scale employment generation initiatives.

In tribal areas, he called for better utilisation of opportunities in coffee cultivation and forest-based products to raise incomes and create sustainable livelihoods for tribal communities.