Chapter III FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION

The Commission shall have the following functions, namely:— (a) to investigate and examine the working of various safeguards provided in the Constitution of India or under any other law, for the time being in force, or under any order of the Government for the welfare and protection of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes of Kerala; (b) to inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in Kerala and to take up such matters with the appropriate authorities; (c) to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and to evaluate the progress of their development in the State; (d) to make recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Government for the effective implementation of safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio economic development of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and to make report to the Government annually and at such other time, as the Commission may deem fit; (e) to discharge such other functions in relation to the protection, welfare, development and advancement of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, as may be prescribed: Provided that if any matter specified in this section is dealt with by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes established under article 338 of the Constitution of India, the State Commission for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall cease to have jurisdiction on such matter.

The State Government shall cause such reports referred to in clause (d) of section 9 to be laid before the Legislative Assembly explaining the action taken or proposed to be taken and the reasons, if any, for non-acceptance of the recommendations.

The Commission shall, while performing its functions under section 9, have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:— (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of the State and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed.