Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Topic: Parliamentary Procedure, Committees and Privileges · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
This is a joint committee of Parliament, which means it has members from both Houses. It has 30 members: 20 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. It considers the reports of the national commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It examines how well the government carries out the constitutional safeguards and welfare measures for these communities. This includes reservation in jobs and the working of welfare schemes. It then reports to Parliament with suggestions.
Example
The committee may examine whether a central ministry has filled its reserved posts for SCs and STs. If it has not, the committee can ask why and recommend action.
Don't confuse with
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes: constitutional bodies outside Parliament that watch over these safeguards. The parliamentary committee is made up of MPs and examines their reports and the government's record.
Related concepts
- Departmentally related standing committee
- Joint Parliamentary Committee
- Business Advisory Committee
- Committee on Private Members' Bills and Resolutions
- Committee on Petitions
- Committee on Government Assurances
- Committee on Subordinate Legislation
- Committee on Empowerment of Women
- Joint Committee on Offices of Profit
- Consultative committees