SC and ST representation in Judiciary

SC and ST representation in Judiciary

Subject: Polity

Section: Judiciary

Context: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, headed by senior BJP MP Kirit Solanki, has decided to study the representation of SCs and STs in the Judiciary “with special reference to the appointment in High Courts and Supreme Court”.

Concept:

• The decision is a reflection of the demand that reservation must be followed in judicial appointments
• The panel will also study certain recent higher court verdicts against reservation, particularly those against reservation in promotions.
• The panel has also decided to look into the issue of All India Judicial Services. “Status of All India Judicial Services under Article 312 of the Constitution of India and its scope of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”.
• Apart from that, the panel will examine annual Reports of National Commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and the reservation policy in public sector.
• It will also study atrocity cases against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with respect to implementation of the Prevention of Atrocities Act. The status of reservation of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in Central Public Sector Undertakings will also be examined.
• Role of autonomous bodies, Public Enterprises, educational Institutions including Central Universities, Engineering Colleges, IIMs, IITs, Medical Institutes including AIIMS in socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is another subject along with the implementation of reservation policy in the Ministries/Departments of the Centre and the States.
• The panel will also review the functioning of National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation policy in Public Sector.