Context:

• The Lok Sabha passed the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill with over two-third majority.
• The Bill was passed superseding the amendments by the Rajya Sabha which seeks to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).

Features of the Bill

• The bill provides for the grant of constitutional status to NCBC on par with National Commission for SCs and National Commission for STs.
• It states that the President may specify the socially and educationally backward classes in the various states and union territories. He may do this in consultation with the Governor of the concerned states.
• The duties of the NCBC include investigating and monitoring how safeguards provided to the backward classes under the Constitution and other laws are being implemented and probe specific complaints regarding violation of rights.
• NCBC will have the powers of a civil court while probing the complaint.

Background:

• The Bill will insert Article 338B into the Constitution after Articles 338 and 338A which deal with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (ST) respectively.

Source:PIB