Functions of Commission.

CHAPTER III. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION. 8. The functions of the Commission shall be as follows, (a) inquire, suo moto or on a petition presented to it by a victim or by any person on his behalf, into complaint of, (a) inquire, suo moto or on a petition presented to it by a victim or by any person on his behalf, into complaint of, (i) violation of any rights provided in the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (Central Act 22 of 1955) and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (Central Act 33 of 1989) and the rules made thereunder or abetment thereof; (ii) negligence in the prevention of such violation, by a public servant; (b) inquire and recommend to the Government to initiate disciplinary action in cases where the Commission is of the view that any public servant has been grossly negligent or grossly indifferent in the discharge of his duties in regard to the protection of the interests of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; (c) evaluate the working of various safeguards and civil rights accruing to a person as stipulated, in the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 or in any other law, regulation or order passed by the Union and the State Governments and to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution or under any other law for the time beingin force; (d) make recommendations with a view to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of all safeguards under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 or any other law for the time being in force; (e) undertake a review of the implementation of the policies pursued by the Union and the State Governments with respect to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; (f) inquire into specific complaints of deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; (g) spread literacy among various sections of the society regarding the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and to promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, media, seminars and other available means; (h) conduct studies, research and analysis on the question of avoidance of discrimination against the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; (i) suggest appropriate legal and welfare measures in respect of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to be undertaken by the Government; (j) monitor the working of laws in force concerning the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Women with a view to identify the areas where the enforcement of laws is not effective or has not been streamlined and recommend executive or legislative measures to be undertaken; (k) encourage the efforts of non-governmental organizations and institutions working, in the field of human rights or for the upliftment and betterment of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; (l) send periodical reports in such manner and at such intervals, as may be prescribed, to the Government; and (m) exercise such other functions as may be conferred or enjoined upon it by this Act or the rules made thereunder: Provided that if the National Commission for Scheduled Castes established under Article 338 of the Constitution or the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes established under Article 338-A of the Constitution is seized of any matter, the Commission shall cease to have jurisdiction on such matter and in case of conflicting recommendations, the recommendation of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes or the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes, as the case may be, shall prevail over the recommendation of the Commission.