Section 21 SC/ST Act: Duty of Government to ensure effective implementation of the Act

Section 21 SC/ST Act Bare Act Text

21. Duty of Government to ensure effective implementation of the Act.

(1) Subject to such rules as the Central Government may make in this behalf, the State Government shall take such measures as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, such measures may include,—

(i) the provision for adequate facilities, including legal aid, to the persons subjected to atrocities to enable them to avail themselves of justice;

(ii) the provision for travelling and maintenance expenses to witnesses, including the victims of atrocities, during investigation and trial of offences under this Act;

(iii) the provision for the economic and social rehabilitation of the victims of the atrocities;

(iv) the appointment of officers for initiating or exercising supervision over prosecutions for the contravention of the provisions of this Act;

(v) the setting up of committees at such appropriate levels as the State Government may think fit to assist that Government in formulation or implementation of such measures;

(vi) provision for a periodic survey of the working of the provisions of this Act with a view to suggesting measures for the better implementation of the provision of this Act;

(vii) the identification of the areas where the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes are likely to be subjected to atrocities and adoption of such measures so as to ensure safety for such members.

(3) The Central Government shall take such steps as may be necessary to co-ordinate the measures taken by the State Governments under sub-section (1).

(4) The Central Government shall, every year, place on the table of each House of Parliament a report on the measures taken by itself and by the State Governments in pursuance of the provisions of this section.

Section 21 SC/ST Act in Simple Words

When Section 21 SC/ST Act Applies

• State implementation duty: The State Government must take necessary measures for effective implementation of the SC/ST Act, subject to rules made by the Central Government (Section 21(1) SC/ST Act).
• Access to justice and witness expenses: Measures may include adequate facilities including legal aid for persons subjected to atrocities, and travelling and maintenance expenses for witnesses and victims during investigation and trial (Section 21(2)(i) and Section 21(2)(ii) SC/ST Act).
• Rehabilitation and prosecution oversight: Measures may include economic and social rehabilitation of victims of atrocities, and appointing officers to initiate or supervise prosecutions under the SC/ST Act (Section 21(2)(iii) and Section 21(2)(iv) SC/ST Act).
• Committees, surveys, and vulnerable areas: Measures may include committees at appropriate levels, periodic surveys of the working of the SC/ST Act, and identifying areas where Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe members are likely to face atrocities so as to ensure safety (Section 21(2)(v) to Section 21(2)(vii) SC/ST Act).
• Central coordination: The Central Government must take necessary steps to coordinate the implementation measures taken by the State Governments (Section 21(3) SC/ST Act).
• Annual report to Parliament: Every year, the Central Government must place on the table of each House of Parliament a report on the measures taken by the Central Government and the State Governments under Section 21 SC/ST Act (Section 21(4) SC/ST Act).

Example of Section 21 SC/ST Act

FAQs on Section 21 SC/ST Act

Sections Related to Section 21 SC/ST Act