National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is an Indian constitutional body established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes to promote and protect their social, educational, economic and cultural interests, special provisions were made in the Constitution.
Functions
To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes under this Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or under any order of the Government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards.
To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes.
To participate and advise on the planning process of socio-Economic Development of the Scheduled Castes and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State.
To present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards.
To make in such reports recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Union or any State for the effective implementation of those safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes.
To discharge such other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and development and advancement of the Scheduled Castes as the President may, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, by rule specify.
National ST commission
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending ARTICLE 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003. By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely-
the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC),
(ii) the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) w.e.f. 19 February, 2004.
Powers of the Commission
For Investigation and Inquiry, the Commission is vested with powers of a Civil Court having authority to:
Summon and enforce attendance of any person and examine on oath.
Discovery & production of any documents.
Receive evidence on affidavits.
Requisition any public record or copy thereof from any court or office.
Issue Commissions for examination of witnesses and documents.
And Any matter which President, by rule, may determine.
Functions of the Commission
To investigate & Monitor matters relating to Safeguards provided for STs under the Constitution or under other laws or under Govt. Order, to evaluate the working of such Safeguards.
To inquire into specific complaints relating to Rights & Safeguards of STs.
To participate and advise in the Planning Process relating to Socio-economic development of STs, and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State.
To submit report to the President annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, upon/ working of Safeguards, Measures required for effective implementation of Programmers/ Schemes relating to Welfare and Socio-economic development of STs.
To discharge such other functions in relation to STs as the President may, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, by rule specify.
The Commission would also discharge the following other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and development & advancement of the Scheduled Tribes, namely:
Measures that need to be taken over conferring ownership rights in respect of minor forest produce to the Scheduled Tribes living in forest areas.
Measures to be taken to safeguard rights to the Tribal Communities over mineral Resources, Water Resources etc. as per law.
Measures to be taken for the development of tribals and to work for move viable livelihood strategies.
Measures to be taken to improve the efficacy of relief and rehabilitation measures for tribal groups displaced by development projects.
Measures to be taken to prevent alienation of tribal people from land and to effectively rehabilitate such people in whose case alienation has already taken place.
Measures to be taken to elicit maximum cooperation and involvement of Tribal Communities for protecting forests and undertaking social afforestation.
State level SC/ST commission
Different states has founded SC/ST commissions to address the issues related to both the casts.
Role of State level commission:
The study the existing state of various provisions in the Constitutions and by the State Government for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes and suggest measures to fulfill the same.
To investigate various grievances raised by members from Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
To participate in the process of creation of schemes related to the economic upliftment of Scheduled Castes and Tribes and provide advice to the State Government regarding the same.
To take a review of matters registered under the Scheduled Castes / Tribes Atrocities Act 1989 and Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955.
To take review of the financial assistance to be given to the affected persons under the above mentioned acts. To accept and investigate grievances of SC/ST employees related to service.
To take a review of policies related to Scheduled Castes / Tribes. To provide advice to the State Government for rolling out beneficial schemes for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
,
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) are Statutory Bodies established by the Government of India to safeguard the interests of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The NCSC was established in 1955, while the NCST was established in 1970.
The NCSC and the NCST are headed by a Chairperson who is appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Chairperson is assisted by a Vice-Chairperson and a number of Members. The Members are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a Selection Committee headed by the Prime Minister.
The functions of the NCSC and the NCST are to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution and other laws, and to take up such matters with the appropriate authorities. They also have the power to inquire into any complaint made by any person alleging that any provision of the Constitution or any law is not being implemented for the benefit of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The NCSC and the NCST have the power to summon any person, to require the production of any document, and to examine any witness. They also have the power to issue directions to any authority or person to comply with any of their recommendations.
The NCSC and the NCST submit an annual report to the President of India, who places it before each House of Parliament.
The NCSC and the NCST have been instrumental in protecting the rights of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. They have taken up a number of cases on behalf of these communities, and have helped to ensure that they are not discriminated against.
The NCSC and the NCST have also been involved in a number of awareness-raising campaigns, and have helped to improve the lives of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The NCSC and the NCST are important institutions that play a vital role in protecting the rights of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. They have made a significant contribution to the upliftment of these communities, and will continue to play a key role in ensuring that they are treated with dignity and respect.
The NCSC and the NCST have been criticized for their lack of effectiveness. Some critics have argued that the Commissions are too bureaucratic and slow to act. Others have argued that the Commissions are not independent enough, and that they are too closely aligned with the government.
Despite these criticisms, the NCSC and the NCST remain important institutions that play a vital role in protecting the rights of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. They have made a significant contribution to the upliftment of these communities, and will continue to play a key role in ensuring that they are treated with dignity and respect.
What is the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the Constitution of India to safeguard the interests of Scheduled Castes (SCs). The NCSC was established on 26 January 1993 under Article 338 of the Constitution. The NCSC is headed by a Chairperson who is appointed by the President of India. The Chairperson is assisted by a Vice-Chairperson and six other members. The members of the NCSC are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The NCSC has the following functions:
To investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the SCs under the Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force and to take up with the appropriate authorities any matter which appears to the Commission to be necessary for the protection of the rights of the SCs;
To review the implementation of the safeguards provided for the SCs under the Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force and to make recommendations to the Central Government and the State Governments for the effective implementation of those safeguards;
To conduct studies and research on the problems of the SCs and to make recommendations for their amelioration;
To spread awareness among the SCs about their rights and privileges;
To provide legal aid to the SCs;
To promote educational and economic development of the SCs;
To make recommendations to the Central Government and the State Governments for the removal of social, economic, and educational backwardness among the SCs;
To perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
The NCSC has its headquarters in New Delhi. The NCSC also has regional offices in different parts of the country.
What is the State Commission for Scheduled Castes?
The State Commission for Scheduled Castes (SCSC) is a statutory body established by the Government of a State under the Constitution of India to safeguard the interests of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in that State. The SCSC is established on the same lines as the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). The SCSC is headed by a Chairperson who is appointed by the Governor of the State. The Chairperson is assisted by a Vice-Chairperson and six other members. The members of the SCSC are appointed by the Governor of the State on the recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of the Chief Minister, the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly.
The SCSC has the same functions as the NCSC. The SCSC has its headquarters in the State capital. The SCSC also has regional offices in different parts of the State.
What are the benefits of being a member of a Scheduled Caste?
The benefits of being a member of a Scheduled Caste are as follows:
Reservation in educational institutions and government jobs;