National Commissions

Introduction

Commissions are the group of individuals who are entrusted by the government to implement certain tasks and objectives. These commissions can have long or short-term objectives. The commissions with long-term objectives are known as Permanent Commissions. The commissions with short-term objectives are discontinued after the purpose of these commissions is fulfilled. These commissions help in making the working of government-concerning certain communities in the country-easier and strong. 

Some important National Commissions in India include-National Commission for women, National Commission for Children, and National Commission for SC and ST’s. 

National Commission For Women

National Commission for women is the commission formed to secure just and equal livelihood for the female proportion of the population through legal obligations and constitutional amendments for women in India. Under the National Commission for Women Act 1990, the commission was set up in 1992. The issues faced by the women population in the country is one of the biggest concerns of the Government in the country. Therefore, the commission was set up for reviewing the legal and constitutional safeguard of women in society. 

The National Commission for Women includes the chairperson, a secretary member, and five more members. All these members are nominated by the Central Government. The functions of the National Commission for women include- 

• The commission examines and investigates matters which concern the issues that are related to the female population of the country, under the constitution of India. 
• The commission members have the power to participate in the planning procedure of the social and economic development of women in the country. It also proposes several measures which would encourage proper representation in different spheres of society. 
• The function of Legal intervention helps in the speedy disposal of cases, along with its redressals. 

In addition to these functions, the national commission for women also has the responsibility of evaluation, inspection, funding, and reporting of several cases, development, and policies concerning women in society. 

National Commission for Children

The National Commission for Children is known as the National Commission for the protection of Child Rights. It is the statutory body that was established in the year 2007 under the provisions of the Commissions for the protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act of 2005. This commission looks into achieving and protecting child rights and reviews programs, policies, and other mechanisms. The commission processes under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The National Commission for children is inclusive of the chairperson and six other members-out of which two members should be women. The functions of the commission include- 

• It has the responsibility for assessing, reviewing, reporting, studying several safeguards which are provided for child rights protection in the country. 
• The commission suggests its concern and suggests several measures which help in the implementation of the policies effectively. 
• The commission also reviews the ongoing policies for children’s rights and protections in the country.
• The commission advocates, undertake an investigation and encourages the incorporation of child rights in the country. 

In addition to these, the commission also has responsibility concerning the right to education of the children in the country and the protection of these children from sexual offences in the country. 

National Commission for SC and ST

The National Commission for SC and ST’s are the constitutional bodies that work together to safeguard the interests of the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes in the country. These commissions help in the protection of these communities from discrimination and exploitation. In addition, it also provides provisions for the upliftment of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Communities. The National Commission for SC and ST includes the chairperson, vice-chairperson, and three other members. All members of the commission are appointed by the President. The functions of these commissions- 

1. National Commission for SC

• The commission inquires, investigates, monitors, and provides recommendation for matters which points to the legal and constitutional safeguard of the SC.
• The commission participates in the planning procedures of the socio-economic development of the community.
• It presents annual reports to the presidents. 

1. National Commission for ST

• The commission inquires, investigates, monitors, and provides recommendation for matters which points to the legal and constitutional safeguard of the ST.
• It presents annual reports to the presidents. 
• The commission inquires into certain complaints, regarding the safeguarding and deprivation of rights of the ST Community. 

Conclusion

National Commissions are an important part of the government. These commissions can have long or short-term objectives. National Commission for women is the commission formed to secure just and equal livelihood for the female proportion of the population through legal obligations and constitutional amendments for women in India. The National Commission for Children is known as the National Commission for the protection of Child Rights. This commission looks into achieving and protecting child rights, and reviews programs, policies, and other mechanisms of the country. The National Commission for SC and ST’s are the constitutional bodies that work together to safeguard the interests of the Scheduled Caste and the Schedule Tribes in the country.