NCSC for SC benefits to dalit Muslims, Christians

New Delhi, Jun 1: In a break from its past stance, the National Commission for Scheduled Caste has said it has an open mind on the demand for giving scheduled castes benefits to Dalit Christians and Muslims.

''If the condition of certain sections of society warrant special measures taken in regard to others, the same should be done in their case too,'' newly appointed Chairman Buta Singh told UNI.

He said he has seen media reports about the recently submitted recommendations of the National Commission for Linguistics and Religious Minorities which include placing Dalit Christians and Muslims in the list of Scheduled castes and providing 15 per cent reservation to minorities in the educational institutions.

''I would study the report and try to find out what kind of measures were required for Dalit Christians and Muslims and other sections. And if any action was required, I would welcome it first of all,'' he added.

The previous Commission had strogly opposed the demand for inclusion of Dalit Muslims and Christians among the Scheduled Castes.

Mr Singh, who carries experience of working in 15 ministries in fifty years of his public career, said he would soon review the functioning of Commission in the past and take corrective measures.

Replying to a question, he accepted that the Commission had not been able to function effectively despite adequate constitutional provisions.

''If you see the history of the Commission since its inception in 1978, you find that Parliament had taken a constant interest in ensuring its effectiveness through various amendments,'' he said.

The Commission draws its mandate from Article 338 of the Constitution, which makes the President directly responsible for ensuring welfare of Scheduled Castes, he pointed out.

''The Commission has so far given seven reports but unfortunately they have not been taken seriously,'' he said.

Mr Buta Singh it was ironical that no discussion on the Commission's recommendations took place in Parliament which had played a great part in the strengthening of the body. The Commission in its present shape is only a creation of the country's supreme legislature through various constitutional amendments since it was first created in 1978 through the 46th amendment, he added.

Its scope of work was significantly widened through the 65th amendment brought in 1987, he said.

There were in total two dozen articles of the Constitutions that elaborately spell out the Commission's powers, scope and the modalities of its working, leaving no doubts and ambiguities, he added.

Mr Singh said he would soon seek a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the issue of making the Commission more effective in its functioning.

He said his first priority would be to ensure regular monitoring of various organisations connected with the welfare and development of SC population.

Mr Singh said the Commission will hold two meetings in a month.

It has decided to monitor the resolution of local problems in remote parts of the country by the State Government and Departments/authorities concerned through spot visits.

The Commission would also visit all states at least once a year for interaction with their Governments and various organisations, associations and bodies of the Scheduled Castes.

He said he will also try to fill existing vacancies and get more staff where needed as soon as possible.

Mr Singh, heading the new Commission took charge on May 25 along with a Vice Chairman in Narendra M Kamble. Later three Members-- Ms Satyaben, Mr Mahinder Baudh and Mr Mritunjay Nayak--also assumed office.

The term of the last Commission, which went headless for a long period following the death of its chairman Mr Suraj Bhan in harness, had expired in February.

UNI

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