Why in News?
The NCST urged the Centre and Chhattisgarh government to frame a dedicated policy for tribals displaced by Maoist conflict since 2005, recommending land, jobs, housing, health coverage, and infrastructure, citing the 2018 Bru resettlement plan as a model.
Description:
- Established: 2004, by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
- Inserted Article 338A in the Constitution.
- Split the earlier National Commission for SCs & STs (Article 338) into:
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
- Type: Constitutional body.
Composition:
- Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and 3 other Members.
- Appointed by: President of India by warrant under his hand and seal.
- At least one member must be a woman.
- Tenure: 3 years.
- Status/Rank:
- Chairperson – Union Cabinet Minister rank.
- Vice-Chairperson – Minister of State rank.
- Members – Secretary to GoI rank.
- Can serve a maximum of 2 terms.
Powers & Functions (Article 338A):
- Investigate & monitor safeguards for STs under Constitution/laws/orders.
- Inquire into complaints of ST rights violations.
- Advise in planning & development of ST socio-economic programmes.
- Report to the President annually / whenever required.
- Recommend measures to Union/State for effective implementation.
- Additional functions: As prescribed by President by rules.
Constitutional & Legal Safeguards for STs:
- Articles:
- 366(25): Defines Scheduled Tribes.
- 342(1): President specifies STs for each State/UT (consulting Governor in case of States).
- Fifth Schedule: Administration of Scheduled Areas & STs in states other than 6th Schedule states.
- Sixth Schedule: Special provisions for administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.
- Statutory Safeguards:
- Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.
- SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
- Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA).
- Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
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