NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, INDIA vi. Encourage research study on atrocities committed on members of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). vii. Identify gaps in the implementation of government schemes with regards to torture meted out on SC/STs. viii. Conduct a thorough survey with regards to torture meted out on individuals ix. D. Identify different forms of atrocities committed through domestic violence and review the government schemes for providing maintenance to the victims. Legal Aid Scheme 4.15 As per National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) Prison statistics India 2018, there were 4,66,084 prisoners in 1339 prisons in India as on 31st December, 2018. According to their analysis, the undertrial population in prison is increasing at a higher rate. With the continuing pace, the share of undertrial prisoners would have crossed the 70% mark in 2019, highest since 2001- making India’s proportion of pre-trial detainees 12th highest in the world. One of the causes for influx of under trials in the Prisons is the delay in the trial due to lack of legal support provided to the detainees. 4.16 In the light of the issue, NHRC conducted a meeting on 24th January, 2019 with DSLSA, Central Jail Tihar, National Law University (NLU) and National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) where it was decided that the students of NLU, Delhi may assist the counsel deployed by DSLSA/NLSA in filing bail appeals/applications etc. of the detainees in various court. As per the outcome of the meeting draft of a pilot project has been formulated wherein the following objectives are proposed to be achieved: 4.17 Objectives of the Pilot Project: Promoting human rights of the prisoners by improving their access to the legal aid system and fostering professionalism and a sense of public service amongst law students, thereby promoting legal aid at college level. 4.18 Duration of the Pilot project: 12 Months (inclusive of 2 days training and prison visit by students 6 days every month). 4.19 Outcomes Expected of the Pilot Project: i. Facilitation of legal aid to jail inmates to curb the issue of delayed justice. ii. Once found successful, the project will be implemented all over the country. iii. Training and awareness of the students with regard to rights of jail inmates. iv. The pilot project will promote awareness towards human rights. v. Development of sensitivity towards human rights amongst students. 4.20 In the last two meetings held on 31st January, 2020 and 10th February, 2020 with the representative of NLSA and DLSA, the draft proposal for the project has been finalised and submitted to the Financial Advisor, MHA for its concurrence. 42 ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20