Report of The Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (April 1979 - March 1980) Second Report

Abstract

The Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs resolved to constitute the Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes vide their Resolution No. 13013/9/77-SCT(I) dated the 21st July 1978 (Annexure I). While doing so they emphasised that even though under Article 338 of the Constitution there is provision for appointment of a Special Officer-Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes—who is charged with the duty of investigating into all matters relating to safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Constitution, considering the magnitude of the problem the Government decided that in addition to the functioning and authority of the Special Officer these matters should appropriately be entrusted to a High Power Commission. The Government also clarified that the functioning of the Commission would not be lessening the authority of the Special Officer.