Haryana Government has notified the setting up of the four-member Commission for Scheduled Castes in the state.
While stating this here today, a spokesman of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Department said the Commission, headed by a Chairperson, would on a reference from the government investigate, examine and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for SC under the Constitution of India, or any other law in force, or any order of government, and evaluate the working of such safeguards.
It would participate and advise on the planning of socio-economic and educational development, and on legislative and developmental policies of the Scheduled Castes and evaluate the progress, the spokesman said.
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Other functions of the Commission include monitoring of implementation of laws and welfare measures concerning Scheduled Castes; to inquire into specific complaints with respect to deprivation of safeguards; and to conduct studies and research into the problems of Scheduled Castes.
Besides the Commission will report to the government for appropriate action; to undertake public interest litigation on behalf of an individual or a group of Scheduled Castes who, in opinion of the Commission, based on facts and evidence brought before it, have suffered injustice or discrimination or to intervene in any pending judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding before a court or authority relating and to provide legal aid and rehabilitation in deserving cases.
Also, the Commission will present to the Government reports upon the working of safeguards, existing laws affecting the Scheduled Castes and make recommendations via remedial legislative measures to overcome any lacunae.
The Government would consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled Castes.
The spokesman said that the the Commission would have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit particularly, namely summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; requiring the discovery and production of any documents; receiving evidence on affidavits; requisitioning any public record or seek a copy thereof from any court or office; issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents and any other matter by notification by the state government.
He said the Commission might, for the purpose of conducting investigation, utilise the services of any officer or probe agency of the state or any other specialised agency, authority or person, subject to permission of the state.
Such officer or agency shall investigate as directed by the Commission and submit a report to the Commission within such period as may be specified by it, he said.
