National Commission for Scheduled Tribes submits report to President

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes presented its fourth report for the year 2008-09 to President Pratibha Patil here today.

The report was presented by Mr Maurice Kujur, Vice-Chairman of the Commission. Ms K Kamala Kumari, Member, was also present.

The Commission was constituted with effect from 19 February, 2004 consequent to the amendment of Article 338 of the Constitution of India and insertion of a new Article 338A vide the Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003.

The Article, inter alia, enjoins upon the Commission to present report(s) to the President upon the working of the Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and to make in such report(s) recommendations regarding measures that should be taken by the Union or any State for effective implementation of those safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes.

As per the constitutional provisions, the report of the Commission has to be laid in both Houses of Parliament along with a Memorandum explaining the action taken or proposed to be taken on the recommendations relating to the Union. Similar action has also to be taken while laying the Report in the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned, in relation to the recommendations concerning the State, an official press release added.

NNN