Question

Consider the following statements

(a) The First National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was constituted in the year 1992.

(b) First National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was constituted under the 65th Constitutional Amendment Act.

(c) C.H. Hanumanthappa was the chairman of the First National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. (a) and (b)
2. (b) and (c)
3. (a) and (c)
4. (a), (b) and (c)

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : (a) and (b)

The correct answer is (a) and (b).

• The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is an Indian constitutional body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
  • It was established with a view to providing safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and Anglo Indian communities to promote and protect their social, educational, economic, and cultural interests, special provisions were made in the Constitution.
    • Article 338 of the Indian constitution deals with National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
    • Article 338 A deals with National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
  • The first Commission was constituted in 1992 with S. H. Ramdhan as Chairman. Hence statement (a) is correct.
  • The second Commission was constituted in October 1995 with H. Hanumanthappa as chairman. Hence (c) statement is incorrect.
• 65th Amendment, 1990:
  • It replaced the one-member system with a multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Hence statement (b) is correct.

• National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
  • National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is a constitutional body that works to safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes (SC) in India.
  • Article 338 of the constitution of India deals with this commission:
    • It provides for a National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with duties to investigate and monitor all matters relating to safeguards provided for them, to inquire into specific complaints, and to participate and advise on the planning process of their socio-economic development, etc. 
  • Structure:
    • It consists of:
      • Chairperson.
      • Vice-chairperson.
      • Three other members.
    • They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.