National Commission for SCs

2021 FEB 27

Preliminary   > Polity   >   Institutions/Bodies   >   Constitutional Bodies

Why in news?

  • New chief for National Commission for SCs has been appointed.

About NCSC:

  • The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is an constitutional body established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes.
  • Article 338 of the Indian constitution deals with National Commission for Scheduled Castes
  • The first Commission was constituted in 1992 and after Constitution (Eighty-Ninth Amendment) Act, 2003 the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was bifurcated as separate commissions for SCs and STs.

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.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements with respect to National Commission for Scheduled Castes:
1.It is a constitutional body under Article 338.
2.For matters relating to state government, president forwards the report to the governor of the state concerned. 
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question