Laxmikanth Test: Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes - UPSC MCQ

The first backward classes commission was appointed in 1953 under the chairmanship of Kaka Kalelkar. It submitted its report in 1955. But, no action was taken on it as the recommendations were considered to be too vague and impractical and also there was a sharp division among the members on the criterion of backwardness. The second Backward Classes Commission was appointed in 1979 with B.P. Mandal as chairman. It submitted its report in 1980.

Accordingly, the President should set-up a National Commission for the socially and educationally BCs to investigate all matters relating to the constitutional safeguards for the socially and educationally BCs and to report to him. The President should place all such reports before the Parliament, along with the action taken memorandum.

In order to realise the objectives of equality and justice as laid down in the Preamble, the Constitution makes special provisions for the scheduled castes (SCs), the scheduled tribes (STs), the backward classes (BCs) and the Anglo-Indians. These special provisions are contained in Part XVI of the Constitution from Articles 330 to 342A.

Before independence, certain posts were reserved for the Anglo-Indians in the railway, customs, postal and telegraph services of the Union. Similarly, the Anglo-Indian educational institutions were given certain special grants by the Centre and the states. Both the benefits were allowed to continue under the Constitution on a progressive diminution basis and finally came to an end in 1960.

It leaves to the President the power to specify as to what castes or tribes in each state and union territory are to be treated as the SCs and STs. Thus, the lists of the SCs or STs vary from state to state and union territory to union territory. In case of the states, the President issues the notification after consulting the governor of the state concerned.

However, the 82nd Amendment Act of 2000 provides for making of any provision in favour of the SCs and STs for relaxation in qualifying marks in any examination or lowering the standards of evaluation, for reservation in matters of promotion to the public services of the Centre and the states.

The establishment of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has been done under Article 338. Article 338 says that there shall be a Special Officer for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to be appointed by the President.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is a constitutional body while the other commissions are the statutory commissions which have been established by the Act of Parliament.

Article 331 is related to the representation of the people of the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha.

Special provisions were made to Scheduled Caste tribes and Anglo Indians in India for just 10 years until the 1960s. But this duration has been extended continuously since then by ten years each time. According to the 95th Amendment (2009) this provision has been extended till 2020.