Pioneer

The scheduled castes and scheduled tribes commission in the city is likely to be in position by August 2001. A decision to this effect was taken on Monday at a meeting of the council of ministers.

The proposed commission, headed by a chairperson, will also have three members. The chairperson will be of the rank of chief secretary of Delhi and the members of principal secretary-rank. The rank of the secretary of the commission will be equivalent to that of a secretary in Delhi Government.

Over the years, both the city and Union Governments have implemented several schemes pertaining to socio-economic development of the SC/ST segment of population. "Though these measures have brought about a good effect in their lives but more needs to be done," the cabinet meeting opined."With the passage of time, the problem of these people have also become multi-faceted. The National Commission for SC/ST is functioning from New Delhi for redressal of the grievances of SCs/STs but its field of operation is so vast that, except in select cases, the National Commission is unable to attend to all the grievance cases," a note by the Delhi Government stated.

"Besides, there is no regular forum for redressal of the grievances in Delhi Government as only a grievance cell is functioning under the department of welfare of SCs/STs," it added. The cabinet felt that keeping in view the large population of members of SC/ST in Delhi, there was a need to have a separate commission to look into their grievances and enforce suitable implementation of the welfare schemes.

"The main aim of setting up this commission is attending to the grievances relating to service matters, exploitations, harassment as well as to ensure proper and just implementation of several acts, orders and instructions of the Union Government for safeguarding the interests of the SC/ST community," the note stated.