Lok Sabha Question No. 1606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-25
Subject: National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA, T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1606 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2017

## NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SOCIALLY AND EDUCATIONALLY BACKWARD

## 1606. SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA: SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  process  of  constitution  of  the  new  National  Commission  for  Socially  and Educationally Backward has been finalized;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  proposed  functions  and  composition  of  the  said Commission;
- (c) whether the Commission is likely to have a full constitutional power; and
- (d) the time by which the said Commission is likely to be constituted?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

(a):  The  Government  introduced  two  Bills  in  the  Lok  Sabha  on  06.04.2017  namely  the Constitution  (One  Hundred  and  Twenty-third  Amendment)  Bill,  2017  and  the  National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017. The Bills were passed by the Lok Sabha on 10.04.2017 and were introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 11.04.2017, where these referred to a Select Committee for examination. The Select Committee has since submitted its report in the Rajya Sabha on 19.07.2017.

- (b): Proposed functions and composition of the said Commission are as under:
- (i) to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the socially and educationally backward classes under this Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or under any order of the Government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards;
- (ii) to  inquire  into  specific  complaints  with  respect  to  the  deprivation  of  rights  and safeguards of the socially and educationally backward classes;
- (iii) to  advise  on  the  socio-economic  development  of  the  socially  and  educationally backward  classes  and  to  evaluate  the  progress  of  their  development  under  the Union and any State;
- (iv) to present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards;
- (v) to make in such reports the recommendations as to the measures that should be taken  by  the  Union  or  any  State  for  the  effective  implementation  of  those safeguards  and  other  measures  for  the  protection,  welfare  and  socioeconomic development of the socially and educationally backward classes; and
- (vi) to  discharge  such  other  functions  in  relation  to  the  protection,  welfare  and development and advancement of the socially and educationally backward classes as the President may, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, by rule specify.

The  proposed  Commission  shall  consist  of  a  Chairperson,  Vice-Chairperson  and  three other Members.

(c): The National Commission for Backward Classes is proposed to be constituted by insertion of new article 338B in the Constitution.

(d): Action to constitute the Commission will be initiated after the said bill is passed in both the Houses and assent of the President is obtained.

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