Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Centre Releases ₹1,423 Crore to Enforce Anti-Atrocities Laws
The Indian government has given States and Union Territories money to enforce laws protecting Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The money is meant to help investigate crimes, hold trials faster and support victims.
It can also pay for special police units, courts, awareness programmes and rehabilitation.
The government has helped create 217 special courts in 15 States and Union Territories.
Many victims received financial relief during the three-year period.
More couples also received support for inter-caste marriages.
A helpline called SAMBAL lets people register and track complaints.
However, hundreds of thousands of cases were still waiting for trial at the end of 2024.
The Centre released ₹1,423.30 crore to States and Union Territories over three years to implement two anti-atrocities laws.
Funding supports protection cells, special police stations, courts, victim relief, rehabilitation, awareness campaigns and inter-caste marriage incentives.
A total of 217 exclusive special courts operate in 15 States and Union Territories for cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Relief was provided to 88,172 victims in 2022-23, 79,667 in 2023-24 and 99,216 in 2024-25.
Although 65,646 cases were registered under the Act in 2024, 3,92,006 cases were pending trial at year-end.
- Who
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, together with State governments and Union Territory administrations, is implementing the measures for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- What
- The Centre released ₹1,423.30 crore over three financial years to implement the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
- When
- The funding covered 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25; the figures were published on October 1, 2026.
- Where
- Across India’s States and Union Territories.
- Why
- To strengthen enforcement, speed up trials, provide relief and rehabilitation, improve awareness and support implementation of the two laws.
- Total central assistance
- ₹1,423.30 crore over 2022-23 to 2024-25
- Annual releases
- ₹392.71 crore in 2022-23; ₹535.30 crore in 2023-24; ₹495.29 crore in 2024-25
- Exclusive special courts
- 217 courts in 15 States and Union Territories
- Victims receiving relief
- 88,172 in 2022-23; 79,667 in 2023-24; 99,216 in 2024-25
- Cases registered under the SC/ST Act
- 65,646 in 2024, compared with 70,725 in 2023 and 67,633 in 2022
- Cases pending trial
- 3,92,006 cases at the end of 2024
- SAMBAL helpline
- Available at toll-free number 1800-202-1989 and short code 14566