March 15, 2002

LOK SABHA

‘10’

    Government is considering a proposal to bifurcate the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Stating this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya said that the problems of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are quite different from each other. He said that already a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been set up to give focussed attention for the welfare and development of tribals.

    The National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been constituted under Article 338 of the Constitution with powers to monitor and investigate all matters relating to safeguards provided to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Commission can inquire into specific complaints of SCs and STs and participate and advise on planning process for socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Commission has also powers of the civil court for enforcing attendance of any person, production of any document requisitioning any public record etc.