Evaluation Study of Implementation of PCR Act 1955, POA Act 1989 and POA Rules 1995 in Six Scheduled Castes Concentrated Districts of Odisha

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to find out the implementation status of the PCR & POA Acts and Rules as well as the critical areas of concerned for their solutions. Efforts were made to examine the following hypotheses like (i) the atrocity victims' families have been empowered through access to compensation, legal aid, education, healthcare and infrastructure; (ii) The implementation of POA has ensured punishment to the culprits and strongest action against the public servants for dereliction of duty and persons who cause suppressing and weakening the atrocity cases.(iii) Payment of incentives for inter-castes marriages and the midday meal schemes in schools has helped reduce social disseminations (iv) the numbers of the compromised atrocity cases and final reports in the courts for closure of atrocity cases assumed to outnumber the numbers of the convictions indicating poor and ix) improper implementation of the Act and (v) the atrocity cases relates more to the ignorance and tolerance of the STs/SCs than to the anti Dalit attitude of the so-called higher castes. The Study was undertaken in 6 Sch.Castes concentrated districts of Odisha where the incidence of atrocity is highly reported and registered namely, Khurda, Cuttack, Puri, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Dhenkanal covering three RDC Zones. Selection of Districts were made on a pragmatic basis giving weightage to Sch.Caste population and their percentage to the total population of the district, registration of more number of atrocity cases in comparison to other Districts of Odisha and prevalence of practice of untouchability in a significant way. Stratified sampling method was adopted covering highly affected, moderately affected and fairly affected pockets. As well as Methods, like case study, interview with the victims/family members, institutions directly associated with the implementation of the act were applied through the questionnaires /interview schedules and Focused Group Discussions as per the objective of the study. Data were collected on number of cases registered, cases under trial, cases pending, cases disposed off through mutual understanding, cases disposed off in the court; extent and types of relief and rehabilitation measures provided to the victims; implementation issues and endeavour taken by Govt. to address those issues and above all on the use and misuse of the Act. 200 cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes had been studied as sample. These case studies are collected from the above mentioned districts.