The Centre today expressed deep concern over the dismal rate of conviction in cases related to atrocities on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and favoured joint action with states to ensure justice to the victims. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik said, the conviction rate on cases of atrocities on SCs and STs in India was between 3 to 8 per cent while pendency of such cases in court was 80 to 90 per cent.

He said,both Central and state governments should ponder upon the matter and take strong corrective steps to provide justice to the SC's and ST victims of atrocities. He was addressing a conference of Home Ministers and Ministers of Social Justice of all states and Union Territories in New Delhi. The conference was attended by Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot, Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil besides others.