Journalism of Courage
Premium
This is an archive article published on February 27, 2004
New panel for SCs has BJP quota
The NDA Government has packed the fresh-look National Commission for Scheduled Castes with its own.The new commission is because of a Consti...
Written by AASHA KHOSA
New Delhi | February 27, 2004 12:00 AM IST
2 min read
2 min read
The NDA Government has packed the fresh-look National Commission for Scheduled Castes with its own.
The new commission is because of a Constitutional amendment that sought to give space to India8217;s tribal population by appointing a separate commission for them as against a combined National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes that had existed since 1989.
Headed by Suraj Bhan, former governor and a BJP veteran, the five-member caste commission includes: Phool Chand Verma, vice chairman, is a former MP and a BJP veteran from Indore; Fakirbhai Vaghela, member, from Ahmedabad is a former minister in the Gujarat government. Sulekha Mankar, member, used to head the Scheduled Caste morcha in Sholapur and is a member of the BJP8217;s national executive. The commission8217;s general secretary, Devender V, is general secretary of the BJP8217;s Andhra Pradesh unit.
While Bijoy Sonkar Sastri, chairman of the SC/ST commission, has resigned to make way for the new panel, another member, Vijay Choudhary, has gone to Delhi High Court challenging the legality of the Government8217;s move. The court has issued notices to the Centre. The commission is a constitutional body with judicial powers.
Advertisement
Live Blog
PHOTOS
Top Stories
Advertisement
Must Read
Advertisement
Buzzing Now
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
Advertisement