The Times of India News Service

BANGALORE: Social Welfare Minister Kagodu Thimmappa said on Wednesday that a Bill for setting up the state's SC/ST Commission would be brought in the next session of the Legislature.

Speaking to reporters here, Thimmappa said the Commission would look into the workings of the department and find means to improve the existing programmes, similar to the Backward Classes Commission. ``We are planning to follow the Andhra Pradesh model,'' he added.

Thimmappa said the Karnataka High Court had permitted the state to set up a special court at Tumkur to deal with cases of atrocities against SC/STs. ``There are 4,000 pending cases and the conviction rate is very low, so we had asked for five such courts. We have temporarily taken a part of the district sessions court in Tumkur for the purpose and are paying Rs 15 lakh per annum for maintenance, till we identify suitable land for the special court,'' he outlined.

Thimmappa said his department had identified about 5,000 backlog vacancies in reserved government jobs for the SC/STs and the backward classes. ```About five departments still have to give the figures to us. We have issued a government order asking the departments to fill up these posts and are checking the follow-up action. It should be completed within three to four months,'' he added.

The Minister said the government would shortly write to the Supreme Court, which has sought a report on the reservations in promotions within May 30, to extend the deadline by a month.