FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONCentral

Section 8 of The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993

(1)The Commission shall perform all or any of the following functions namely:--
1. (a)recommend to the Central Government specific programmes of action towards elimination of inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities for Safai Karamcharis under a time-bound action plan;
2. (b)study and evaluate the implementation of the programmes and schemes relating to the social and economic rehabilitation of Safai Karamcharis and make recommendations to the Central Government and State Governments for better co-ordination and implementation of such programmes and schemes;
3. (c)investigate specific grievances and take suo moto notice of matters relating to non-implementation of--
  1. (i)programmes or schemes in respect of any group of Safai Karamcharis;
  2. (ii)decisions, guidelines or instructions, aimed at mitigating the hardship of Safai Karamcharis;
  3. (iii)measures for the social and economic up liftment of Safai Karamcharis;
  4. (iv)the provisions of any law in its application to Safai Karamcharis, and take up such matters with the concerned authorities or with the Central or State Governments;
4. (d)make periodical reports to the Central and State Governments on any matter concerning Safai Karamcharis, taking into account any difficulties or disabilities being encountered by Safai Karamcharis;
5. (e)any other matter which may be referred to it by the Central Government.
(2)In the discharge of its functions under sub-section (1), the Commission shall have power to call for information with respect to any matter specified in that sub-section from any Government or local or other authority

Summary

The Commission recommends specific action plans to the Central Government to remove inequalities in status, facilities, and opportunities for Safai Karamcharis (sanitation workers).
It studies and evaluates how well social and economic rehabilitation programs (schemes to help workers transition to other livelihoods) are being implemented and suggests ways to improve cooperation between Central and State Governments.
It investigates specific grievances and takes suo moto notice (acting on its own initiative without a formal complaint) of failures to implement welfare schemes, guidelines, or laws.
It makes regular reports to Central and State Governments highlighting the difficulties and disabilities faced by Safai Karamcharis.
It investigates any other matter referred to it by the Central Government.
It has the power to call for information from any Government, local body, or other authority to help perform its functions.

Practical examples

1In January 2027, the Commission reads about a district in Nagpur where sanitation workers are not receiving their wages. The Commission takes action on its own initiative (suo moto) to investigate the local authorities.

2To check if a rehabilitation scheme is working in Kanpur, the Commission uses its legal powers in February 2027 to demand employment and training records from the Kanpur Municipal Corporation.

3The Commission designs a three-year roadmap to improve working conditions and sends this recommendation to the Central Government on March 10, 2027.

FAQ

1. From whom can the Commission demand information?

The Commission has the power to call for information from any Government, local authority, or other public authority.

2. What can the Commission do if a State Government is not implementing a law for sanitation workers?

It can investigate the matter and raise it directly with the State Government or other concerned authorities.

3. Who can assign extra duties to the Commission?

The Central Government can refer additional matters to the Commission for investigation or study.

Test yourself

Q1.What power does Section 8(2) give to the Commission?

Q2.What is the term used when the Commission initiates an investigation on its own without a formal complaint?

Q3.To whom does the Commission recommend specific programs of action to eliminate inequalities?

Q4.Which of the following is NOT a function of the Commission listed under Section 8(1)?

Q5.Who can refer other matters to the Commission under Section 8(1)(e)?

Q6.What must the Commission take into account when making its periodical reports?

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