Commissions In India

National Commission For Scheduled Castes

A statutory body setup by the Indian Government named National Commission for Scheduled Castes proved a revolutionary step to safeguard the Scheduled Caste community in India. The Commission suggested many recommendations to Indian government for impartial application to safeguard Scheduled Caste community. The important motive was to ensure that this community is no more suppressed on any grounds. Many new attempts were advised for the promotion and protection of this community for a rewarding social, economic and educational uplift.

The Commission equally focused on the economic and cultural interests of this community and therefore ensured special provisions could be introduced through the constitutional initiatives to ascertain they enjoy better living standards.

About National Commission for Scheduled Castes

The need was felt for a separate Commission for the SCs and STs to improve their condition in the country since country’s independence for that Central Government established a new National Commission for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes in August, 1978. Mr. Bhola Paswan Shastri was given the responsibility to chair this Commission as its Chairman and to work with the rest four Members selected after the Commission’s setup.

Second & Renewed Commission

The Central Government constituted second Commission in October, 1995. Mr. H. Hanumanthappa was given the role to chair second Commission. Commission for SCs and STs worked for almost ten years until 1987 until getting renamed to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes with restructured body to function. The government revamped this Commission with a purpose to boost morale of the Scheduled Caste community in the country for which a national level body was structured for the advisory purpose.

This Commission therefore suggested reforms and guidance to Central Government for multiple roles from making policies to their implementation on each and every stage for the sake of giving bright future to this community.

Third & Forth Commission

It was in December 1998 that Central Government established the third National Commission for Scheduled Castes which was chaired by Mr. Dileep Singh Bhuria.

It was followed by the establishment of 4th Commission in March, 2002 for that Dr. Bizay Sonkar Shastri was chosen to perform the chairperson’s role.

Mandates

National Commission for Scheduled Castes was formed with the mandate that were prescribed under the law. All subsequent commissions from 1st to the 4th one were based on the clear cut idea exploration under Indian law. It was mainly under the Indian constitution’s 89th Amendment Act, 2003 that National Commission for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes got replaced with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and separate National Commission for Scheduled Tribes—two Commissions to address the issues of these communities.

With Mr. Suraj Bhan as chairman of first National Commission for Scheduled Castes the Commission was mandated during its reconstituted establishment in 2004 that it would evaluate, suggest and guide for betterment of Scheduled Caste community in the country for their betterment through all means to ensure they maintain good living standard.

Mandates for the second National Commission for Scheduled Castes were almost same with few new additions in mandate. Its establishment in May, 2007 brought a new hope for the Scheduled Castes with Buta Singh chairing the restructured Commission. Mr. P.L Punia was the chairperson of 3rd National Commission for Scheduled Castes whose establishment in October 2010 gave further direction and motive to work for the welfare of this deprived community. Some of the major functions which were part of the mandate included:-

• This Commission was assigned to investigate as well as monitor all those issues pertaining to the Scheduled Caste community’s safeguard as per the laws for enforcement
• Advise the government after evaluating the issues to work for safeguarding rights of this community
• Thorough inquiry into the particular complaints that indicate for deprivation of all rights and safeguards which Scheduled Castes face

Recommendation Reports

National Commission for Scheduled Castes submitted many recommendations to the government and the reports submitted ever since the subsequent Commissions were setup came under discussion. Reports mainly focused at the participatory role by advising for a proper planning and to ensure that this particular community is developed socially and economically. These reports also indicated for evaluation of the progresses and development of this community in all states of the country.

Implementation of Recommendations

Subsequent governments in the Centre and States concerned took keen interest for the overall progress of the Scheduled Caste community for that reports are already in the implementation phase. A few of these reports are being evaluated and there are many which still remains under the debate. Overall, this Commission’s reports which are considered fit and appropriate in all respects have been implemented to ensure the community is safeguarded to the best extent.

Both Union and State governments have taken many important measures for the effective implementation of all those reports for best safeguarding and protection of this community which is mainly centered at socio-economic development.