National Commission for Scheduled Castes

National Commission for Scheduled Castes

It  is a constitutional body in the sense that it is directly established by Article 338 of the Constitution.

Evolution of the Commission

  • Originally, Article 338 of the Constitution provided for the appointment of a Special Officer for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to investigate all matters relating to the constitutional safeguards for the SCs and STs and to report to the President on their working
  • Later, the 65th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1990 provided for the establishment of a high level multi-member National Commission for SCs and STs in the place of a single Special Officer for SCs and STs
  • Again, the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003  bifurcated the combined National Commission for SCs and STs into two separate bodies, namely, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (under Article 338) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (under Article 338-A).

Composition

It consists of

  1. Chairperson
  2. Vice-chairperson and
  3. Three  other members.

They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. Their conditions of service and tenure of office are also determined by the President.

Functions of the Commission

  • To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional and other legal safeguards for the SCs and to evaluate their working;
  • To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the SCs
  • To participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the SCs and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union or a state;
  • To present to the President, annually and at such other times as it may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards;
  • To make recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Union or a state for the effective implementation of those safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic development of the SCs; and
  • To discharge such other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and development and advancement of the SCs as the President may specify.

Report of the Commission

  • Commission presents an annual report to the President. It can also submit a report as and when it thinks necessary.
  • President places all such reports before the Parliament, along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on the recommendations made by the Commission. The memorandum should also contain the reasons for the non-acceptance of any of such recommendations.
  • President also forwards any report of the Commission pertaining to a state government to the state Governor. Governor places it before the state legislature, along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on the recommendations of the Commission. The memorandum should also contain the reasons for the non-acceptance of any of such recommendations

Powers of the Commission

  • Commission is vested with the power to regulate its own procedure.
  • Commission, while investigating any matter or inquiring into any complaint, has all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and in particular in respect of the following matters:
    • Summoning  and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath;
    • Requiring the discovery and production of any document;
    • Receiving evidence on affidavits;
    • Requisitioning any public record from any court or office;
    • Issuing summons for the examination of witnesses and documents; and
    • Any other matter which the President may determine.

The Central government and the state governments are required to consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting the SCs.

The Commission is also required to discharge similar functions with regard to  Anglo-Indian Community as it does with respect to the SCs.

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