NCSC
- April 15, 2021
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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NCSC
Subject: National Organisations
Context: National Commission for Scheduled Castes starts online complaints portal.
Concept:
- NCSC is a constitutional body that works to safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes (SC) in India.
- Article 338 of the constitution of India deals with this commission:
- It provides for a National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with duties to investigate and monitor all matters relating to safeguards provided for them, to inquire into specific complaints and to participate and advise on the planning process of their socio-economic development etc.
History and Origin:
- Special Officer: Initially, 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.
- 65th Amendment, 1990: It replaced the one-member system with a multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
- The Constitution (65th Amendment) Act 1990, amended Article 338 of the Constitution.
- 89th Amendment, 2003: By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for SC and ST was replaced by two separate Commissions from the year 2004 which were: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)- under Article 338-A.
Structure:
- It consists of Chairperson, Vice-chairperson and three other members.
- They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
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.
- The Commission is also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the Anglo-Indian Community as it does with respect to the SCs.
- Till 2018, the commission was also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the other backward classes (OBCs). It was relieved from this responsibility by the 102nd Amendment Act of 2018.