JAMMU: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Department of Social Welfare (DSW), J&K Government and IIPA, J&K Regional Branch in the presence of B.R Sharma, former Chief Secretary J&K and Chairman IIPA J&K Regional Branch to establish, maintain and enhance academic, research and intellectual interaction through specific initiatives.

The MoU was signed by Seema Bharti, Secretary, J&K SC Advisory Board on behalf of DSW, J&K Government and Prof. Alka Sharma, Hony Secretary IIPA J&K Regional Branch.

Seema Bharti informed that the MoU has been signed under the guidance of Sheetal Nanda, Secretary SWD with an objective to undertake research to evaluate the social economic status of Scheduled Castes in Jammu region and also to understand the working of Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 in J&K.

Among other present on the occasion were Sukhdev Singh Samyal, Special Secretary DSW, J&K; J.B.S Johar, Vice Chairman IIPA J&K Regional Branch; K.B Jandial, Prof. Rekha Choudhary, Vikrant Kuthiala, Prem Gupta, G.M Andrabi, Joint Secretary (Kashmir) and Dr. Anil Gupta, Joint Secretary (Jammu).