National Commission for Scheduled Castes

Why is in news? National Commission for Scheduled Castes submits its Annual Report 2020-21 & 2021-22 to the President of India

As per the mandate given to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes under Article 338 of the Constitution, it is the duty of the Commission to present to the President annually & at other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of the Constitutional Safeguards of the Scheduled Castes.

The reports may include recommendations for the measures required to be taken by the Union and the States for the effective implementation of those safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes.

NCSC:

The NCSC is a constitutional body established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and to promote and protect their social, educational, economic and cultural interests.

Initially, the constitution provided for the appointment of a Special Officer under Article 338. The special officer was designated as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

In 65th Amendment Act, 1990, it amended Article 338 of the Constitution and replaced the one-member system with a multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

In 89th Amendment Act, 2003, the Article 338 was amended, and the erstwhile National Commission for SC and ST was replaced by two separate Commissions from the year 2004 which were: - National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

Composition:

The NCSC comprises a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three additional Members.

These positions are filled through the President's appointment, indicated by a warrant under his hand and seal.

Their conditions of service and tenure of office are also determined by the President.

Functions:

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 socioeconomic 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

Till 2018, the commission was also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the other backward classes (OBCs). It was relieved from this responsibility by the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018.