Q. Consider the following statements with reference to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribe (NCST):
1. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was established by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
2. One of the functions of NCST is to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional safeguards for the STs.
3. The Chairperson of NCST must be a retired Supreme Court judge.
How many statements given above are correct?
Exp) Option b is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is a constitutional body that was established by the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003. The Commission is an authority working for the economic development of Scheduled Tribes in India. The NCST is directly established by Article 338-A of the Constitution. Earlier, there was only one commission, which was for both the scheduled tribes and scheduled castes. This amendment replaced the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with two distinct commissions which are:
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
Statement 2 is correct. One of the important functions of the Commission is to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional and other legal safeguards for the STs and to evaluate their working and to inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the STs.
Statement 3 is incorrect. There is no provision of NCST chairperson must be a retired Supreme Court judge. The Commission comprises a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and three full-time Members (including one female Member). The term of all the Members of the Commission is three years from the date of assumption of charge. They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. Their conditions of service and tenure of office are also determined by the President.
