Chapter II STATE COMMISSION FOR THE SCHEDULED CASTES AND THE SCHEDULED TRIBES

(1) The State Government shall, as soon as may be, after the commencement of this Act constitute a body to be known as the “Kerala State Commission for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes" to exercise the powers conferred on, and to perform the functions assigned to it under this Act. (2) The Commission shall consist of the following members, namely:— (a) a Chairperson, from among the Scheduled Caste-Scheduled Tribes, who has special knowledge in matters relating to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, to be nominated by the Government; (b) two members who have special knowledge in matters relating to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, to be nominated by the Government; (c) the Secretary to Government of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Department of the Government, ex-officio, who shall be Member-Secretary of the Commission.

(1) Every member shall hold office for a term of three years from the date he assumes office. (2) The Chairperson or a member of the Commission may, at any time, by writing under his hand addressed to the Government, resign his office. (3) The Government shall remove a person from the Office of the Chairperson or of a member if that person,— (a) becomes an undischarged insolvent; or (b) has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which, in the opinion of the Government, involves moral turpitude; or (c) becomes of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or (d) refuses to act or becomes incapable of acting; or (e) without obtaining leave of absence from the Commission, absents himself from three consecutive meetings of the Commission; or (f) has, in the opinion of the Government, so abused the position of Chairperson or Member as to render that person's continuance in office detrimental to the interest of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes; or the public interest: Provided that no person shall be removed under this clause unless that person has been given an opportunity of being heard in the matter. (4) A vacancy caused under sub-section (2) or otherwise shall be filled by fresh nomination within a period of three months. (5) The salary and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the Chairperson and Members shall be, as may be prescribed.

(1) The Government shall provide the Commission with such officers and employees, as may be required for the proper functioning of the Commission. (2) The salary and allowances payable to, and the terms and conditions of services of the officers and other employees appointed for the purpose of the Commission shall be, such as may be prescribed.

The salary and allowances payable to the Chairperson and the members, and the administrative expenses, including salary, allowances and pensions payable to the officers and other employees referred to in section 5, shall be paid out of the grants referred to in sub-section (1) of section 12.

No Act or proceedings of the Commission shall be invalid on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Commission.

(1) The Commission shall meet as and when necessary, at such time and place as the Chairperson may think fit: Provided that it shall meet at least once in three months. (2) The Commission shall have power to regulate its own procedure. (3) All orders and decisions of the Commission shall be authenticated by the Member-Secretary or any other officer of the Commission duly authorised by the Member-Secretary in this behalf.