Amidst the ongoing Centre-state squabbling over counter-terror centre, NCTC, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appears to be unhappy with his ministerial colleagues’ functioning in an autonomous way, disregarding mandatory consultations with the Constitutional bodies like National Commissions for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Scheduled Castes (SCs).
Keeping this in view, the Cabinet Secretariat shot off an office memorandum (OM) to all the secretaries to the government of India asking them to ensure “prior consultations with National Commissions for SCs and STs” before bringing major policy matter to the Union Cabinet for their consideration.
Reminding the ministries and departments, particularly those who deal with issues relating to SCs and STs, including rural development, human resources, tribal affairs, environment and forest and women and child development, the OM, a copy of which is with this newspaper, said, “Some instances have been brought to the notice of the government, where the National Commissions for SCs and STs have not been consulted, as envisaged under the constitution on major policy matters affecting the Schedule communities.”
Though the OM has not mentioned any specific instance of non-compliance of “constitutional mandate” to consult, sources in the government said, “Over-enthusiastic and activist ministers” have developed the habit of pushing through “their pet” programmes and policy initiatives, while ignoring the National Commissions for SCs and STs.
The OM further said, “The sponsoring ministries of such decisions are advised to ensure that the National Commissions for SCs and STs, as the case may be, should be consulted before finalisation of notes for consideration of the Union Cabinet.” It also advised that the ministries should place before the Union Cabinet the views received by them from the commissions for SCs and STs.
“It has also been decided that the unabridged/ unedited views of the concerned commission, along with the views and responses of the administrative ministry, should be attached to the note while sending it for the consideration of the Union Cabinet,” the OM added.