Bill introduced in LS to add Mahara, Mahra in Chhattisgarh SC list

Bill introduced in LS to add Mahara, Mahra in Chhattisgarh SC list

Subject : Polity

Section: Constitution

Concept :

• he Union Social Justice Ministry has introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order and include two synonyms for the Mahar community in Chhattisgarh to the State’s Scheduled Castes list.
• The Bill will benefit about two lahks more people from these communities by making them eligible for various government schemes and benefits meant for Scheduled Castes (SCs) in the state.

Details

• The Bill proposes to add “Mahara” and “Mahra” as synonyms for the Mahar community in Chhattisgarh.
• The Mahar community is already listed as a Scheduled Caste in the state, but members of the “Mahara” and “Mahra” communities, who identify themselves as Mahar, are not able to avail themselves of the benefits available to SCs.
• The Bill seeks to rectify this anomaly and ensure that members of these communities are not deprived of their constitutional rights and entitlements as SCs.

Why are these synonyms being added?

• The inclusion of these two synonyms was initiated by the Chhattisgarh State government, which sent a proposal to the Centre for amending the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order.
• The proposal was based on the recommendations of the State-level Scrutiny Committee, which verified the claims of these communities to be Mahar.
• The State government also conducted a socio-economic survey of these communities and found that they were facing similar problems and challenges as other SCs in terms of education, employment, health, and social status.
• The State government argued that adding these synonyms would help in addressing the issues of identity, dignity, and inclusion of these communities and bring them into the mainstream of society.

Scheduled Castes (SCs) list and how it is updated

• Scheduled Castes (SCs) are a group of historically disadvantaged people in India who are recognized by the Constitution of India and given certain rights and protections.
• The term “Scheduled Caste” derives from the fact that they are listed in the Schedule (Annexure) of the Constitution.
• The list of SCs is not static, but dynamic. It can be updated by the President of India, in consultation with the state governor, by issuing an order under Article 341 of the Constitution.
• The order can include or exclude any caste, race or tribe, or part of or group within any caste, race or tribe, from the list of SCs.

Process of Inclusion and Update of the SCs List

• Constitutional Provision
• Article 341 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to specify, through a public notification, the castes, races, tribes, or parts of groups within castes and races that are to be considered as Scheduled Castes.
• State Government Proposal
• To add or delete any caste or community from the SCs list, the concerned State Government must propose the change to the President.
• The State Government conducts a thorough examination of the social, educational, and economic conditions of the community and submits a detailed proposal to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Verification and Recommendations
• The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment examines the proposal and conducts its investigation to verify the claims made by the State Government.
• It may seek additional information or recommendations from various authorities, including the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), State-level Commissions, and other relevant bodies.
• Consultation with NCSC
• The NCSC plays an important role in advising the government on matters related to Scheduled Castes.
• The Ministry may consult the NCSC for its views and recommendations regarding the inclusion or exclusion of a particular caste or community from the SCs list.
• Presidential Notification
• After careful examination and considering all the recommendations, the President of India issues a public notification specifying the inclusion or exclusion of a caste or community from the SCs list. This notification is then published in the Official Gazette of India.
• Amendment to the Constitution
• Once the President’s notification is issued, the SCs list is updated accordingly. The inclusion or deletion of any caste or community in the list becomes part of the Indian Constitution.
• Rights and Benefits
• With the inclusion in the SCs list, the identified communities become eligible for various affirmative action programs, reserved seats in legislatures, educational institutions, and other special provisions aimed at their social upliftment.