http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=482631
Atrocities against women, SC/ST sections: Special courts soon THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,JUN21 (PTI) Three special courts would be set up in Kerala to deal with cases of atrocities against SC/ST sections and women, state Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the assembly today. Replying to the debate on the demands for grants for Home Vigilance and Tourism departments, he said two courts would deal with cases involving SC/ST sections while the third one would exclusively deal with cases of atrocities against women. The remuneration for jail inmates would be increased from the present range of Rs 9-23 to Rs 21-69. Half of the wages would be provided to the family members of inmates. He said the ban imposed on smoking in jail compound would be withdrawn as a `practical solution' to the smuggling in of beedis and other 'smoking stuff' to jails. Cases of life prisoners, who had spent more than eight years in jail,would be sympathetically considered and the government would recommend to the Governor for their release in consultation with the Jail Advisory Committee. He rejected the Opposition charge that the government was trying to politicise the police force in the state. The 1400 vacancies in the local police force would be filled soon. In the wake of reports of thefts in places of worship, he said a special police squad would be formed to nab the culprits. The minister said the government would bring in a legislation to regulate the functioning of video libraries. The House later passed the demands for grants.
