What are powers of National Commission for SCs?
Q. What are powers of National Commission for SCs?
1) Commission has powers of criminal court in regards to examining witnesses.
2) Commission can regulate its own procedure.
3) State governments are required to consult the commission on all major policy matters affecting the SCs.- Published on 14 Mar 17a. 1, 3
b. 1, 2
c. 2, 3
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 2, 3
Powers of The Commission -
- The commission is vested with the power to regulate its own procedure.
The commission, while investigating any matter or inquiring into any complaint, has all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and in particular in respect of the following matters -
1. summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath;
2. requiring the discovery and production of any document;
3. receiving evidence on affidavits;
4. requisitioning any public record from any court or office;
5. issuing summons for the examination of witnesses and documents; and
6. any other matter which the President may determine.
- The Central Government and the state governments are obligated to consult the commission on all major policy matters affecting the SCs.
- The commission also needs to discharge similar functions in regard of other backward classes (OBCs) as well as Anglo-Indian Community as it does in respect of the SCs.
- Thus, it has to investigate all matters relating to the constitutional and other legal safeguards for the OBCs and Anglo-Indian Community and report to the President upon their working.