Inter-Caste Marriage

The Ministry of Home Affairs in its advisory dated 01.04.2010, addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all State Governments/Union Territory Administrations has, inter-alia, stated that 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule (List-II) to the Constitution of India and, therefore, the State Governments and UT Administrations are primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of all crimes within their jurisdiction including crimes against Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. The Union Government, however, attaches the highest importance to matters relating to the prevention of crime; and therefore, the Union Government has been advising the State Governments/UT Administrations from time to time to give more focused attention to the administration of the criminal justice system with emphasis on prevention and control of crime including crimes against Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes feel secure, enjoy their human rights and live their lives with dignity and respect that every citizen of India deserves. As such, the responsibility of protection to inter-caste couples also lies with the State Governments. Under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, Central assistance is provided to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, inter-alia, towards incentive for inter-caste marriages where one of the spouses belongs to a Scheduled Caste. This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Manikrao Hodlya Gavit in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.  Source:-PIB