National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)

• Article 338 of the constitution of India deals with this commission.
• National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a constitutional body that works to safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes (SC) in India.

Article 338 in The Constitution Of India 1949

338. Special Officer for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes etc

(1) There shall be a Special Officer for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to be appointed by the President

(2) It shall be the duty of the Special Officer to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under this Constitution and report to the President upon the working of those safeguards at such intervals as the President may direct, and the President shall cause all such reports to be laid before each House of Parliament

(3) In this article references to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes shall be construed as including references to such other backward classes as the President may, on receipt of the report of a Commission appointed under clause ( 1 ) of Article 340, by order specify and also to the Anglo Indian community.

Structure of NCSC

It consists of:

Chairperson.

Vice-chairperson.

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.

Issues in NCSC

• Non-binding recommendations.
• Less sensitive.
• The existing priorities of the Commission are visibly lopsided in favour of the elite of these communities.
• Delays.
• Irregularity.

Way forward:

• Capacity building and sensitisation of the institutions.
• Better engagement with civil society: