1. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST):
- GS Paper 2: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Context:
- During the last four years, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has been dysfunctional, according to a new report by a parliamentary committee.
- During that time, the commission has failed to provide a single report to Parliament.
The following reports are still pending:
- According to the Commission, the Indira Sagar Polavaram Project in Andhra Pradesh has had an adverse impact on the tribal community, which was investigated.
- A specific report on the rehabilitation and resettlement of tribals who have been displaced as a result of the Rourkela Steel Plant is available.
Challenges and challenges linked with the operation of the NCST include:
- There is a scarcity of manpower and funds.
- Because the eligibility criterion has been set excessively high, there will be fewer candidates.
- Its percentage of complaints and cases that are pending resolution is similarly close to 50 percent, according to the organization’s data.
About NCST:
- The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) was founded by modifying Article 338 of the Constitution and introducing a new Article 338A into the Constitution by the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
- The old National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was abolished and replaced by two independent commissions, namely, I the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and (ii) the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), which were established by this amendment (NCST).
Organizational structure: The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and each member serve three-year terms beginning on the day they are appointed to their positions.
- The Chairperson has been elevated to the level of Union Cabinet Minister, while the Vice-Chairperson has been elevated to the post of Minister of State, and the other members have been promoted to the rank of Secretary to the Indian Government.
- They are appointed by the President by a warrant signed by him and sealed with his seal.
- At the very least, one of the members should be a woman.
- The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, and the other Members serve three-year terms in their respective positions.
- Members are not eligible for re-appointment after serving for more than two consecutive terms.
Authorities: The NCST is entitled to examine and supervise matters pertaining to protections granted for STs under the Constitution, other laws, or government orders. The Commission is also empowered to investigate specific complaints relating to the rights and safeguards of STs, to participate in and provide advice in the Planning Process relating to the socio-economic development of STs, and to assess the progress of their development under the Union and its member states’ jurisdiction.
Report: The commission makes an annual report to the President on the effectiveness of safeguards and measures necessary for the proper execution of Programmers/ Schemes connected to the welfare and socio-economic development of STs, as well as on the working of the Commission.
