Commissions In India

National Commission For Scheduled Tribes

While India restructured itself post-independence it had to face many challenges in the governance system and for the social uplift. A new constitution was framed for the free country and its framers were well aware of the fact that some communities especially Scheduled Tribes were deprived ones whose overall progress should have been given priority status.

Scheduled Tribes community used to suffer from too much social, educational and economic backwardness so were the Scheduled Tribes sufferers. Unfortunately such sufferings were in practice from many centuries because these two communities were considered untouchables in society. Establishment of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was considered mandatory for the betterment of this community.

About National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

Establishment of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was aimed at fulfilling the purpose to support and safeguard this community that was suppressed since the primitive era. The Government of India took an important step to set up such Commission that could prove helpful for this community to avail all infrastructures and facilities in the country without any isolation or discrimination.

Safeguarding their interests to keep them socially and economically in the right and appropriate direction for best living standard possible were main aim of this newly established Commission which was established through amending Article 338 of the Indian Constitution to insert a new Article 338A through 89th Amendment Act, 2003 which smoothened progress of this deprived community.

Constitutional amendment paved the way to the bifurcation of erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes into National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and the second one National Commission for Scheduled Castes with effect from February 19, 2004 to work independently.

Composition of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is a statutory body setup by the Indian government which comprises of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three members out of those one member must be a female. This Commission has set rule for each one constituted to serve for a period of three years from the time all members assume their offices.

Second National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

Set up of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was a big leap to evaluate the condition of Scheduled Tribes keenly and to work for their development and safety. It was a key initiative from government’s part which constituted second National Commission for Scheduled Tribes in 2007 with Mrs. Urmila Singh as Commission chairperson. This Commission was established for three years with other members Mr. Maurice Kujur to serve Commission as vice chairperson besides Mr. Tsering Samphel and Mr. Oris Syiem Myriaw to work as Commission members. It worked extensively under the mandates given to suggest government means and scopes for brighter future of Scheduled Tribes in the whole country.

Third National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

Recently established 3rd National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was setup in the year 2010 with Dr. Rameshwar Uraon assigned to serve it as its chairperson while rest members Mrs. K. Kamala Kumari & Mr. Bheru Lal Meena were Commission’s members. The posts of vice chairperson and third member of this Commission was not filled at the time of establishing third Commission.

Mandate

Soon after the Constitution of India had its 89th amendment and was brought into force on February 19, 2004 it smoothened the setup of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes with the separate mandate for this community. It was done under the Article 338A which made things easier to bifurcate earlier National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for better concentration on the both communities. The mandates for both communities from the Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes were clearly defined.

Mandate was exclusive to oversee and implement rules which could prove helpful for the best safeguarding of Scheduled Tribes that too under the provisions of the constitution of India. Some of the important duties which National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has been mandated for its role, duties and functions include:-

• Commission would investigate and monitor all sorts of issues and concerns which pertain to the Scheduled Tribes through enforcing laws and regulations prescribed for them
• Thorough evaluation of works done for safety and overall growth of the Scheduled Tribes community through timely initiatives with policies and administrative mechanisms
• Ensuring that all complaints received with respect to the community’s deprivation should be addressed to the best extent
• Commission is mandated to participate in the advisory roles besides taking the planning process into account for community’s socio-economic growth so is it responsible for thorough evaluation of progress happening in the country

Recommendation Reports

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes keeps submitting recommendation reports to respective governments after thorough analysis and observation of issues concerned. It presents report to the President on annual basis. Such reports are also additions on previous ones and a follow up of past initiatives taken to ensure that there is best safety of Scheduled Tribes community.

Implementation of Recommendations

Respective governments have received and implemented reports which have been submitted to them through National Commission for Scheduled Tribes ever since it was formed for the first time. The government takes the suggestions and guidelines into account and ensures that Union or any State governments take the measures for effective implementation.

They are mainly to safeguard rights of this community  that has been deprived since centuries. The implementations are for their protection, welfare and complete socio-economic development.