National Commission for Scheduled Castes Ram Shankar Katheria

 the Government of India established National Commission for Scheduled Castes to safeguard depressed sections of Indian society (Scheduled Castes) against exploitation and to promote their social, economic, educational and cultural development. For the effective implementation of the policies set by commission in the constitution, the constitution appoint a special officer under article 338 of the constitution. He is designated as commissioner for Scheduled Castes and is assigned the duty to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards for the Scheduled Castes and to report to the President upon the working of these protections. In order to enable effective functioning of the office of the commissioner for the Scheduled Castes, 17 regional offices of the commissioner are formed in different parts of the country.

Mission of the public authority National Commission for Scheduled Castes has a command to supervise the social protections as provided in Articles 17 23 24 25(2)(b) Educational and Cultural Safeguards as provided in Article 15(4) Service Safeguards are provided in Article 16(4)Article 16(4A) Political Safeguards as provided in Article 164(1) Article 243(D) provides for reservation in village panchayat and zila Panchayat, Article 243(T) in Municipality provides for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Article 330 provides reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha. Article 332 provides reservation of seats for SCs STs in State Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assemblies). Article 334 extends the reservation of these seats on the expiration of a period of 60 years from the commencement of the Constitution.

National Commission for Scheduled Castes: The first National Commission for Scheduled Castes was constituted on 2004 with Suraj Bhan as the Chairperson. The Second National Commission for Scheduled Castes in series was constituted on May 2007 with Buta Singh as the Chairperson. The Third National Commission for Scheduled Castes has been constituted on October 2010 with P.L.Punia as the Chairperson.

Composition of the Commission: The Commission shall consist of Chairman, Vice Chairman and three other members. The President of India shall appoint the Chairman, Vice Chairman and members of the Commission.

Duties and Functions of the Commission: Constitution of India under Article 338 has allotted some duties and functions to the Commission. Following functions are performed by commission which have been laid down in clauses (5), (8) and (9) of the Article 338 of the Constitution: Clause (5): It shall be the duty of the Commission: - 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. - This is 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 the rule specific Clause (8) - The Commission shall, while investigating any matter referred to in sub-clause (a) or inquiring into any complaint referred to in sub-clause (b) of clause (5), have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and in particular in respect of the following matters, that is: 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 documents. Receiving evidence on affidavits. Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office. Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents. Any other matter which the President may by rule, determine. Clause (9)- The Union and every State Government shall consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled Castes

Powers and Functions of the Commission: While examining any issue under sub-clauses (a) and (b) of clause (5), the Commission shall have all the powers of a civil court 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 affidavit. Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office. Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents. Any other matter which the President may, by rule, determine [clause (8)]. The Union and State Governments shall consult the Commission on all major policy matters that affect SCs and STs [clause (9)]. The Commission shall have power to control its own procedure [Clause (4)].