Functions of the Commission

♤ To investigate & Monitor matters relating to Safeguards provided for STs.

♤ To inquire into specific complaints relating to Rights & Safeguards of STs

♤ To participate and Advise in the Planning Process relating to Socio-economic development of STs, and to Evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State

♤ To submit report to the President annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, upon/ working of Safeguards, Measures required for effective implementation of Programmers/ Schemes relating to Welfare and Socio-economic development of STs

♤ The Commission would also discharge the following other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and development & advancement of the Scheduled Tribes, namely:-

o Measures that need to be taken over conferring ownership rights in respect of minor forest produce to the Scheduled Tribes living in forest areas.

o Measures to be taken to safeguard rights to the Tribal Communities over mineral resources, water resources etc. as per law.

o Measures to be taken for the development of tribals and to work for move viable livelihood strategies.

o Measures to be taken to improve the efficacy of relief and rehabilitation measures for tribal groups displaced by development projects.

o 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.

o Measures to be taken to elicit maximum cooperation and involvement of Tribal Communities for protecting forests and undertaking social afforestation.

o Measures to be taken to ensure full implementation of the Provisions of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996

o 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