India 2018

Welfare 539
1995, which, inter-alia, provide norms for relief and rehabilitation. These Rules
had not been amended thereafter.
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment
Act, 2015 and 2016
Despite the deterrent provisions made in the PoA Act, continuing atrocities
against the members of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) had
been a cause of concern. High incidence of occurrences of offences against
members of SCs and STs also indicated that the deterrent effect of the PoA Act
was not adequately felt by the accused. It was, therefore, considered appropriate
to strengthen the Act and make the relevant provisions of the Act more effective.
Based on the consultation process with all the stakeholders, amendments in the
PoA Act were proposed to broadly cover five areas. There have been addition
of several new offences and rephrasing of existing ones. The establishment of
exclusive special courts for the speedy trial of offences of atrocities against the
members of SCs and STs and Specification of Exclusive Special Public Prosecutor
are provided. A new chapter relating to "Rights of Victims and Witnesses" is
inserted. Certain duties and responsibilities are imposed upon the State for
making necessary arrangement for protection of victims, their defendants and
witnesses.
Relief amount for 47 offences of atrocities is provided for and phasing
of payment of relief amount rationalised. Relief amount is enhanced between
` 85,000/- to ` 8,25,000/- depending upon the nature of the offence. The
admissible relief is to be paid within seven days. Investigation and filing of
charge sheet is to be done within sixty days.
National Commission for Scheduled Castes
The National Commission for SCs and STs (NCSC) which was set up under
Article 383 of the Constitution in 1990 was bifurcated into two Commissions
namely, National Commission for Scheduled Castes and National Commission
for Scheduled Tribes after the 89th Constitutional (Amendment) Act, 2003. The
National Commission for Scheduled Castes is responsible for monitoring the
safeguards provided for Scheduled Castes and also to review issues concerning
their welfare. Functions of the NCSC as enumerated in the Article 338(5) of the
Constitution are:- (a) to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the
safeguards provided for the scheduled castes under the 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; (b) to inquire into specific
complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the
scheduled castes; (c) to participate and advise on the planning process of socioeconomic
development of the Scheduled Castes and to evaluate the progress of
their development under the Union and any State; (d) to present to the President,
annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports
upon the working of those safeguards; (e) to make in such reports,