National Commission for Scheduled Castes

In News: A former Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and ex-BJP MP, Vijay Sampla, on Wednesday took charge as chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), a post that was vacant since May 2020.

About National Commission for Scheduled Castes

• NCSC is a constitutional body that works to safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes in India.
•  Article 338 of the constitution of India deals with this commission.
• 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.
• The 65th Amendment to the constitution replaced the one-member system with a multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 
  • The Constitution (65th Amendment) Act 1990, amended Article 338 of the Constitution. 
  • The newly formed National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes consisted of 5 members apart from the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Commission.
• The 89th Amendment in 2003 replaced this Commission with the following with effect from 2004:
  • National Commission for Scheduled Castes
  • National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
• The first National Commission for Scheduled Castes was formed in 2004. 

Composition

• Chairman
• Vice-chairman
• Three other members.

Functions

• Monitoring and investigating all issues concerning the safeguards provided for the SCs under the constitution.
• Enquiring into complaints relating to the deprivation of the rights and safeguards of the SCs.
• Taking part in and advising the central or state governments with respect to the planning of socio-economic development of the SCs.
• Regular reporting to the President of the country on the implementation of these safeguards.
• Recommending steps to be taken to further the socio-economic development and other welfare activities of the SCs.
• Any other function with respect to the welfare, protection, development and advancement of the SC community.