Laxmikanth: Summary of National Commission For Backward Classes (NCBC) - Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR BACKWARD CLASSES (NCBC)

• 102^nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018 provides constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC),
• It has the authority to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes.
• Previously NCBC was a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Background

• In Indra Sawhney case of 1992, Supreme Court had directed the government to create a permanent body to entertain, examine and recommend the inclusion and exclusion of various Backward Classes for the purpose of benefits and protection.
• 123^rd Constitution Amendment bill of 2017 was introduced in Parliament to safeguard the interests of backward classes more effectively.

Structure of NCBC

• The Commission consists of five members including a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three other Members appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
• The conditions of service and tenure of office of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other Members is determined by President.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 340 deals with the need to, inter alia, identify those "socially and educationally backward classes", understand the conditions of their backwardness, and make recommendations to remove the difficulties they face.
• 102nd Constitution Amendment Act inserted new Articles 338 B and 342 A.
• The amendment also brings about changes in Article 366.
• Article 338B provides authority to NCBC to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes.
• Article 342 A empowers President to specify socially and educationally backward classes in various states and union territories.

Powers and Functions

• The commission investigates and monitors all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the socially and educationally backward classes under the Constitution or under any other law to evaluate the working of such safeguards.
• It participates and advises 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.
• It presents to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards.

How Does The New Commission Be Different From Its Earlier Version?

• The new act has recognized that BCs also need development in addition to reservations. There are provision in the act for development of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEdBCs) and the new NCBC’s role in the development process.
• The new NCBC is entrusted with the additional function of grievance redress of backward classes.
• Article 342( A) introduces greater transparency as its made mandatory to take the concurrence of Parliament for adding or deleting any community in the backward list.

Issues

• The recommendation of new NCBC is not binding on the government.
• Since it has no responsibility to define backwardness, it cannot address the current challenge of demands of various castes to be included as BCs.
• Features of expert body, as directed by the Supreme Court, are not provided in the composition of the new NCBC.
• Mere constitutional status and more acts will not solve the problem at grass root level as recent data revealed skewed representation of SC/ST and OBC categories.

Suggestions

• The composition should reflect the feature of an expert body as mandated by the SC.
• The government must put information in public domain regarding the findings of the caste census and recommendations of commission.
• Vote bank politics should give way to value based politics so that only truly backward sections of society will get the benefit of reservation.