National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)

National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)

News: Recently, Vice-Chairman (Chairman in-charge) of the NCSC submitted its annual report 2022-23 to the President of India.

About NCSC:
• It is a constitutional body under Article 338 of the Constitution of India.
• Aim – To provide safeguards against the exploitation of SCs and Anglo Indian communities and to promote & protect their social, educational, economic and cultural interests.
• Composition (5) - Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and 3 other Members.
• Appointed by – President, by warrant under his hand and seal.
• President may by rule determine the conditions of service and tenure of office of all the members

Note:
• 89th Constitutional Amendment Act (2003), separated the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes into 2 separate commissions - National Commission for SC and National Commission for ST (NCST).

Powers and Function:
• It shall have the power to regulate its own procedure.
• To investigate and monitor all matters relating to all safeguards provided 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.
• It has all the powers of a civil court like summoning attendance, requiring documents, receiving evidences, requisition public copy from court or office and examining the witnesses.
• To advise on the planning process of socio-economic development and to evaluate the progress under the Union and any State.
• To discharge such other functions as the President may, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, by the rule specify.
• The Union and every State Government shall consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting SCs.
• Report – Presented to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit where it recommends measures that should be taken by the Union or any State.