SC/ST Act: Govt initiates inter-ministerial consultations to overturn ‘dilution’ by SC

Government has initiated inter-ministerial consultations on a draft ordinance to overturn a Supreme Court verdict that put safeguards on arrest of those accused of committing atrocities on SCs and STs, official sources said on Thursday.

A draft is ready with the Ministry of Social Justice and it could be placed before the Union Cabinet in coming days if the government’s review plea before the Supreme Court fails to yield a favourable ruling.

“The next hearing is on May 16 and much would depend on that,” said a senior official in the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry.

Another government functionary said there is no clarity as yet on exact date for the proposal to be placed for the Cabinet approval.

“But a cabinet note detailing the reason for bringing the ordinance has been circulated to ministries for consultations,” the functionary said.

The proposed ordinance would make it clear that notwithstanding any judgement or any other law in force, the provisions of the Act shall remain valid.

“Once promulgated, this would mean the ordinance would overturn the SC order,” explained a law ministry official.