Q. Which of the following actions can be taken by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, to protect the interests of the Scheduled Castes?
1. It can Suo-motu investigate into the atrocities conducted on scheduled castes.
2. It is the final authority for inclusion or exclusion of any caste in scheduled list.
3. It has the power to punish for the wrongdoings done to scheduled castes.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Exp) Option a is the correct answer
Statement 1 is correct. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has power to investigate Suo-motu into the atrocities conducted on scheduled castes. The Commission, while investigating any matter or inquiring into any complaint, has all the powers of a civil court trying a suit.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Commission only recommends and is not the final authority for inclusion or exclusion of any caste in scheduled list.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Commission itself does not have the power to punish for the wrongdoings done to scheduled castes. However, the Commission ensures by monitoring and issuing instruction to the concerned authorities, whether Police assists the courts in bringing forward witnesses and see that the culprits are suitably punished by the courts.
| Important Tips Under article 341 President with respect to any State or Union Territory, by public notification specify the castes, races or tribes as Scheduled Castes in relation to that State or Union Territory. Under article 341(2), the Parliament of India by law can include or exclude a group from the list of the Scheduled Castes. |
