Correct Answer
(d) There is no correct statement.
Explanation of the Correct Answer
All four statements are incorrect.
The Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is a Parliamentary Committee consisting of 30 members:
- 20 members elected by the Lok Sabha
- 10 members elected by the Rajya Sabha
The Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, not by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. A Minister is not eligible for election to this Committee, without any exception for the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. Also, the term of the Committee does not exceed one year, not two years. (Digital Sansad)
Evaluation of the Statements
| Statement | Verdict | Explanation |
|---|
| 1. Chairperson is appointed by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. | Incorrect | The Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from amongst the members of the Committee. |
| 2. Twenty members are elected by the Rajya Sabha and ten by the Lok Sabha. | Incorrect | It is the reverse: 20 members from Lok Sabha and 10 members from Rajya Sabha. |
| 3. No Minister, except the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, is eligible to be a member. | Incorrect | No Minister is eligible for election to the Committee. There is no such exception. |
| 4. Members are elected for a fixed term of two years. | Incorrect | The term of the Committee does not exceed one year. |
Therefore, none of the statements is correct.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
| Option | Verdict | Explanation |
|---|
| (a) There are four correct statements | Incorrect | All four statements are incorrect. |
| (b) There is only one correct statement, that is statement 2 | Incorrect | Statement 2 reverses the actual composition. |
| (c) There are two correct statements, that include statement 1 | Incorrect | Statement 1 is incorrect because the Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. |
| (d) There is no correct statement | Correct | Statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all incorrect. |
Relevant Supplementary Information
Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
| Feature | Correct Information |
|---|
| Type | Parliamentary Committee |
| Total members | 30 |
| Lok Sabha members | 20 |
| Rajya Sabha members | 10 |
| Mode of election | Elected by respective Houses through proportional representation by single transferable vote |
| Chairperson appointed by | Speaker of the Lok Sabha |
| Minister’s eligibility | A Minister is not eligible for election to the Committee |
| Term | Does not exceed one year |
| Main focus | Welfare, safeguards and representation of SCs and STs |
| Feature | Correct Information | Common Trap |
|---|
| Type | Parliamentary Committee | It is not a constitutional body like NCSC or NCST |
| Total membership | 30 members | Often confused with 22-member or 31-member committees |
| Lok Sabha members | 20 | The number is often reversed in questions |
| Rajya Sabha members | 10 | Rajya Sabha has fewer members in this Committee |
| Mode of election | Elected by respective Houses | Not nominated directly by the Government |
| Electoral method | Proportional representation by means of single transferable vote | Ensures representation of different parties |
| Chairperson appointed by | Speaker of the Lok Sabha | Not by Chairman of Rajya Sabha |
| Minister’s eligibility | No Minister is eligible | No exception for Social Justice Minister |
| Term | Not exceeding one year | Not two years |
| Main concern | Welfare and safeguards of SCs and STs | Not limited only to reservation matters |
Main Functions of the Committee
| Function | Explanation |
|---|
| Examine reports of National Commissions | Considers reports submitted by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes |
| Review Union Government action | Reports on action taken by the Union Government and Union Territories on welfare measures |
| Examine representation in services | Reviews measures for securing due representation of SCs/STs in services and posts under the Union Government |
| Review welfare programmes | Examines working of welfare programmes for SCs/STs in Union Territories |
| Examine referred matters | Takes up matters referred by the House or Speaker, or deemed fit by the Committee |
Key Takeaways from the Tables
| Key Point | Explanation |
|---|
| Composition is 20 Lok Sabha + 10 Rajya Sabha | The question reverses the numbers in Statement 2. |
| Chairperson is appointed by Lok Sabha Speaker | Not by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. |
| No Minister can be elected | There is no exception for the Social Justice Minister. |
| Term is one year | The Committee’s term does not exceed one year, not two years. |
| All four statements are incorrect | Hence, option (d) is correct. |
| Key Point | Explanation |
|---|
| Remember 20 + 10 formula | Committee has 20 Lok Sabha + 10 Rajya Sabha members. |
| Speaker appoints the Chairperson | The Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. |
| No Minister can be a member | There is no exception for any Union Minister. |
| Term is one year | Members are elected for a term not exceeding one year. |
| It is a Parliamentary Committee | It is different from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. |
| Common trap is reversal | Questions often reverse Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha membership numbers. |
Context and Current Relevance
- The Committee strengthens parliamentary oversight over SC/ST welfare safeguards.
- It reviews representation of SCs/STs in Union services, public undertakings, nationalised banks and other bodies.
- Its work supports constitutional goals of social justice, equality and inclusive governance.
Table: Composition of the Committee
| House | Number of Members | How Chosen |
|---|
| Lok Sabha | 20 | Elected by Lok Sabha members |
| Rajya Sabha | 10 | Elected by Rajya Sabha members |
| Total | 30 | Through proportional representation by single transferable vote |
Table: Main Functions of the Committee on Welfare of SCs and STs
| Function | Explanation |
|---|
| Examine reports of National Commissions | Considers reports of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes |
| Review constitutional safeguards | Examines whether safeguards for SCs and STs are being properly implemented |
| Review welfare programmes | Studies working of schemes and programmes for SCs/STs under Union Government and Union Territories |
| Examine representation in services | Reviews measures for ensuring adequate representation of SCs/STs in government services and posts |
| Review public sector representation | Looks into SC/ST representation in public sector undertakings, nationalised banks and other government-controlled bodies |
| Examine referred matters | Takes up matters referred by the House, Speaker or Chairman, or matters considered appropriate by the Committee |
| Suggest improvements | Makes recommendations for better implementation of SC/ST welfare measures |
Table: Similar Parliamentary Committees and Their Composition
| Committee | Total Members | Lok Sabha Members | Rajya Sabha Members | Chairperson Appointed By | Term |
|---|
| Public Accounts Committee | 22 | 15 | 7 | Speaker of Lok Sabha | 1 year |
| Estimates Committee | 30 | 30 | 0 | Speaker of Lok Sabha | 1 year |
| Committee on Public Undertakings | 22 | 15 | 7 | Speaker of Lok Sabha | 1 year |
| Committee on Welfare of SCs and STs | 30 | 20 | 10 | Speaker of Lok Sabha | 1 year |
| Committee on Empowerment of Women | 30 | 20 | 10 | Speaker of Lok Sabha | 1 year |
| Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes | 30 | 20 | 10 | Speaker of Lok Sabha | 1 year |
Table: Committee on Welfare of SCs/STs vs Constitutional Commissions
| Basis | Committee on Welfare of SCs/STs | National Commission for Scheduled Castes | National Commission for Scheduled Tribes |
|---|
| Nature | Parliamentary Committee | Constitutional body | Constitutional body |
| Constitutional Article | Not directly under a specific constitutional article | Article 338 | Article 338A |
| Membership source | Members of Parliament | Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and members appointed by President | Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and members appointed by President |
| Main role | Parliamentary oversight over welfare measures and safeguards | Monitor safeguards for Scheduled Castes | Monitor safeguards for Scheduled Tribes |
| Reports to | Parliament | President | President |
| Focus | Implementation and parliamentary review | SC rights, safeguards, complaints and development | ST rights, safeguards, complaints and development |