Which of the following is/are true regarding National Commission for Scheduled Tribes?

1) Article 338 deals with National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

2) A new Ministry of Tribal Affairs was created in 1999.

a. Only 1

b. Only 2

c. Both 1 and 2

d. None of the above

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (STs) -

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (STs) is a constitutional body as it is directly established by Article 338-A of the Constitution.

The National Commission for SCs and STs came into being on passing of the 65th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1990.

The commission was established under Article 338 of the Constitution.

Its objective was monitoring all the safeguards provided for the SCs and STs under the Constitution or other laws.

Geographically and culturally, the STs are different from the SCs.

Their problems are also different.

A new Ministry of Tribal Affairs was created in 1999 for a more focused approach towards the welfare and development of the STs.

It was felt that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs should co-ordinate all activities relating to the STs as it would not be administratively feasible for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to perform this role.

So, in order to safeguard the interests of the STs in a better manner, it was proposed to set up a separate National Commission for STs.

The 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 bifurcated the National Commission for SCs and STs.

This Act amended Article 338 and inserted a new Article 338-A in the Constitution.

National Commission for STs came into existence in 2004.

It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and three other members.

They are appointed by the President.

Their conditions of service and tenure of office are also determined by the President.