Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot said all the States and Union Territories (UTs) should tackle the incidents of atrocities against Scheduled Castes expeditiously. Addressing the meeting of Principal Secretaries of States and UTs of Social Justice Department in New Delhi yesterday, he said ensure that perpetrators are brought to book expeditiously and the victims are appropriately compensated.<br/><br/>Mr Gehlot emphasized that the Government has made amendments in the Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act making some of its provisions more stringent and also enhancing the quantum of relief amount to the victims. He urged States and UTs to implement the Act in letter and spirit so that atrocities against the SCs are curbed. He said that States should expedite implementation of the provisions of amended PoA Act and work for awareness generation and sensitization of police and other officers about their provisions.<br/><br/>Expressing concern over the practice of manual scavenging, the Minister said this has to be eradicated from this country on a war footing. He urged the States to work towards eradication of this inhuman practice on priority basis.