Lok Sabha Question No. 80 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Commission to Accord SC Status for Dalit Christians and Muslims
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja

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

STARRED QUESTION NO.80 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2023

## COMMISSION TO ACCORD SC STATUS FOR DALIT CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS

*80. SHRI A. RAJA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has constituted a Commission to study the possibility of according with the terms f reference of the Commission; along
- (6) whether even  after lapse of three  months, the three-member Commission has not been provided any office space, secretarial staff and full-fledged budget and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government would provide the above facilities to enable the Commission to start functioning effectively and in a time bound manner and if so, the time by which it is likely to be done?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

(a) Yes Sir. A Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act; 1952 has been constituted vide notification no. S.0.4742(E) dated 06.10.2022. The details regarding composition, terms of reference etc. are given in the notification, a copy of which is at Annexure

(b) & (c): The Commission has already started working and has been provided all necessary secretarial  assistance, temporary office space and other facilities from the existing staff and infrastructure   available A full fledged  separate budget head has been created for the Commission which will be functional from FY 2023-24. Till the finances and expenditure of the Commission is being met from the existing budget of the department The Government is fully committed to provide all the facilities to enable the Commission to function effectively: then,

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## EXTRAORDINARY

PART IISection 3\_Sub-section (ii)

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

NEW DELHL, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6,2022/ASVINA 14, [944

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## 88&

## MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (Department of Social Justice and Empowerment)

## NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 6th October; 2022

- S.O. 4742(E): Whereas certain groups of persons who have   historically suffered social inequality: discrimination and the consequent backwardness resulting therefrom; have been declared to be Scheduled Castes by Presidential Orders issued from time to time under article 341 of the Constitution of India;

And whereas,  certain  groups have raised the question of revisiting the existing definition of Scheduled Castes by according the status to new persons who belong to other religions beyond those permitted through Presidential Orders, and in contrast, many other groups have also opposed the same; And whereas, certain   representatives  of the existing  Scheduled Castes have   objected to Scheduled Caste status to new persons; And whereas; this is a seminal and historically   complex sociological and constitutional question, and a definite matter of public importance;

And whereas, given its importance, sensitivity and potential impact, any change in definition in this regard should be on the basis  of a detailed and definitive study and  extensive consultation  with all stakeholders and no Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act; 1952 (60 of 1952) has so far inquired into the matter;

1952 (60 of 1952), the Central Government hereby appoints a Commission of Inquiry consisting of following persons, namely: -

## Chairperson

Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, (Ex-Chief Justice of India)

## Members

- Dr. Ravinder Kumar Jain, IAS (Retd) (HP- 1981)
- ii) Prof: (Dr:) Sushma Yadav, (Member; UGC)
- 2 The terms of reference of the Commission shall be as follows: -
- to examine the matter of according Scheduled Caste status to new persons,  who claim to historically have belonged to the Scheduled Castes, but have converted to religion other than those mentioned in the Presidential Orders issued from time to time under article 341 of the Constitution;
- (ii) to examine the implications o the existing Scheduled Castes, of adding such new persons as part of the existing list of Scheduled Castes;
- (iii) to examine the changes Scheduled Caste persons go through on converting to other religions in terms of their customs, traditions, social and other status discrimination and deprivation, and the implication of the same on the question of giving them Scheduled Caste status; and
- (iv) to examine any other related questions that the Commission deems appropriate, in consultation with and with the consent of the Central Government.
- 3 . The Headquarters of the Commission shall be at New Delhi.
- 4\_ The Commission shall submit its report within a period of two years from the date of over of the by the Chairperson. taking charge

[F. No. RL-12016/9/2021-RL Cell] SURENDRA SINGH, Addl Secy: