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Similar to National commission for SCs, Article 338-A of the Constitution provides for National Commission for STs. Its composition, power and functions are similar to that of National Commission for SCs, only difference being that it is concerned with STs.
A separate National Commission for STs came into existence in 2004. It consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and three other members. They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. Their conditions of service and tenure of office are also determined by the President.
Besides, functions similar to National Commission on SCs, the following functions were entrusted to the Commission in 2005:
1) Measures to be taken over conferring ownership rights in respect of minor forest produce to STs living in forest areas.
2) Measures to be taken to safeguard rights of the tribal communities over mineral resources, water resources etc. as per law.
3) Measures to be taken for the development of tribals and to work for more viable livelihood strategies.
4) Measures to be taken to improve the efficacy of relief and rehabilitation measures for tribal groups displaced by development projects.
5) Measures to be taken to prevent alienation of tribal people from land and to effectively rehabilitate such people in whose case alienation has already taken place.
6) Measures to be taken to elicit maximum cooperation and involvement of tribal communities for protecting forests and undertaking social afforestation.
7) Measures to be taken to ensure full implementation of the Provisions of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996.
8) Measures to be taken to reduce and ultimately eliminate the practice of shifting cultivation by tribals that lead to their continuous disempowerment and degradation of land and the environment.