(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?
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.