National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) recently submitted its Annual Report for 2023-24 to the President of India Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. The delegation was led by NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana, along with Members Love Kush Kumar and Vaddepalli Ramchander, and Secretary Gudey Srinivas, IAS.
Background
- As mandated under Article 338 of the Constitution, the NCSC presents an annual report to the President on the status of Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Castes.
- The report
- Includes recommendations for measures that the union and state governments should take to protect, uplift and promote the welfare and socio-economic development of the SC communities.
- Provides a detailed review of the implementation of Constitutional provisions, focusing on issues such as atrocities and crimes against Scheduled Castes.
- Covers findings from reviews, field visits and consultations with central and state governments on various welfare schemes and development programmes.
NCSC has made several recommendations to strengthen institutional accountability, ensure justice and advance the overall empowerment of Scheduled Castes.
About NCSC
- Established accordance with the Constitution (Eighty-Ninth Amendment) Act, 2003 the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes has been replaced by
- NCSC (Article 338)
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (Article 338-A)
- Key Functions:
- To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the SC.
- To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes, etc.
- Composition: Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and 3 other members, appointed by the President.