A parliamentary panel has decided to undertake a detailed review of the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, with a focus on assessing its effectiveness in curbing crimes and discrimination against members of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
The decision was taken by the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, which has finalised a set of key subjects for examination during the 2026–27 period. The committee plans to evaluate how effectively the law has been enforced across states and whether the provisions of the legislation have helped in reducing incidents of atrocities and social discrimination faced by SC and ST communities.
Apart from reviewing the implementation of the Prevention of Atrocities Act, the committee will also study the execution of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The panel is expected to examine the extent to which forest-dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers have received legal recognition of their rights over forest land and resources under the Act.
According to a Lok Sabha Secretariat bulletin issued on Tuesday, the parliamentary committee has also chosen to deliberate on the issue of reservation for SCs and STs in the private sector. The subject has remained a long-standing demand among various social justice groups and political organisations, which have argued that reservation benefits should extend beyond government jobs and educational institutions into private industry and corporate employment.
The committee is also set to discuss concerns related to the issuance and verification of SC/ST caste certificates. Issues surrounding delays, irregularities and alleged misuse of caste certificates are likely to be part of the deliberations, considering their direct impact on access to reservation benefits and welfare schemes.
Another major area identified for examination is the implementation of reservation policies for SCs and STs in Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs). The panel will review whether public sector enterprises are complying with reservation norms in recruitment and promotions and whether adequate representation is being ensured for marginalised communities.
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In addition, the committee will assess the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives targeted at SC and ST communities. It is expected to review whether companies and public sector entities are adequately allocating resources towards education, skill development, healthcare and livelihood programmes benefiting these sections of society.
The parliamentary panel will further examine the status of pre-matric, post-matric and overseas scholarship schemes being implemented by various Union ministries. The review is likely to focus on fund allocation, delays in scholarship disbursal, accessibility for students and the overall effectiveness of the schemes in promoting educational advancement among SC and ST students.
The Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is a 30-member parliamentary standing committee entrusted with monitoring the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Its responsibilities include reviewing the progress of welfare programmes, examining the implementation of constitutional safeguards, and investigating issues related to the social, educational and economic development of SC and ST communities across the country.
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