Enquiry by Expert Agency

(1) The expert agency may conduct such enquiries as it may deem fit into the claim of an individual or group of individuals that he or they belong or belongs to the Scheduled Caste or the Scheduled Tribe in the following circumstances:-

(i) Suo motu enquiries on the basis of field studies on castes, communities or tribes or as a part of or auxiliary to Anthropological or Sociological Studies or investigations.

(ii) On petitions and complaints being received by it, from any source pertaining to the claims of non-Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes, the non-Scheduled Castes or Tribes, as the case may be.

(iii) On references, requisitions, directions or proposals being received from the State and Central Governments, the competent authorities or the screening committee or the scrutiny committee.

(2) The report of the Expert Agency shall be conclusive proof for or against the Scheduled Caste or the Scheduled Tribe claim, as the case may be, of the person reported upon.

(3) The person reported upon shall be entitled for a copy of the report of the Expert Agency, if he desires so, free of cost from the authority authorizing the enquiry.