National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (STs)
Q. Which of the following is/are true regarding National Commission for Scheduled Tribes?
1) Article 338 deals with National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
2) A new Ministry of Tribal Affairs was created in 1999.- Published on 14 Mar 17a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. None of the above
ANSWER: Only 2
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (STs) -
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (STs) is a constitutional body as it is directly established by Article 338-A of the Constitution.
- The National Commission for SCs and STs came into being on passing of the 65th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1990.
- The commission was established under Article 338 of the Constitution.
- Its objective was monitoring all the safeguards provided for the SCs and STs under the Constitution or other laws.
- Geographically and culturally, the STs are different from the SCs.
- Their problems are also different.
- A new Ministry of Tribal Affairs was created in 1999 for a more focused approach towards the welfare and development of the STs.
- It was felt that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs should co-ordinate all activities relating to the STs as it would not be administratively feasible for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to perform this role.
- So, in order to safeguard the interests of the STs in a better manner, it was proposed to set up a separate National Commission for STs.
- The 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 bifurcated the National Commission for SCs and STs.
- This Act amended Article 338 and inserted a new Article 338-A in the Constitution.
- National Commission for STs came into existence in 2004.
- It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and three other members.
- They are appointed by the President.
- Their conditions of service and tenure of office are also determined by the President.
