National Commission for Safai Karamcharis tenure extended by 3 years

The Union Cabinet in a meeting held in New Delhi and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for a period of three years till 31 March 2028. 

The tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was to lapse on 31st March 2025.

About the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was set up as a statutory body in 1994 by the government of India under the provision of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993.

• As per the provision of the act, the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was three years.
• The central government periodically amended the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act in 1997 and 2001 and extended its term by three -three years.
• The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act was allowed to lapse on 29 February 2004 by the government and was converted into a non-statutory body.
• The government has periodically extended the term of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis.

Under which Ministry is the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis?

The non-statutory body National Commission for Safai Karamcharis comes under the 

Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Composition of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis consists of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and five members.

The Chairperson has a status equivalent to the Union Minister of State.

The other members and Vice-Chairperson have the status equivalent to the Secretary to the Government of India.  

Headquarters of the Commission: New Delhi

Functions of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis has also been given additional responsibilities under the provision of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

Some of the important functions are as follows:

• Recommend measures to the central government for the elimination of inequalities in status, facilities, and opportunities of the Safai Karmacharis;
• Evaluate the implementation of government schemes relating to the social and economic rehabilitation of Safai Karmacharis and scavengers;
• Take up the grievance of the  Safai Karamcharis regarding the non-implementation of the various government welfare schemes for Safai Karmacharis;
• Monitor the working conditions of the Safai Karamcharis.

Under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 the function of the Commission are as follows:

• Monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Act;
• Advice the government(Central & State) on the effective implementation of the provision of the Act;
• Inform the concerned authorities regarding complaints of non-implementation of the provision of the Act for redressal.