State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1995 Chapter 3

(1) The functions of the Commission shall be as follows:-

(i) to examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a Backward Class in the lists and hear complaints of over inclusion or under inclusion of any Backward Class in such lists and tender such advice to the State Government as it deems appropriate;

(ii) to make the survey of the social and educational conditions and problems of the people belonging to the Backward Classes;

(iii) to supervise the implementation of various welfare schemes meant for the Backward Classes;

(2) The advice of the Commission shall ordinarily be binding upon the Government.

The Commission shall, while performing its functions under sub-section (1) of section 9, have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:-

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of the State and examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;

(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;

(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;

(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents; and

(f) any other matter which may be prescribed.

(1) The State Government may at any time, and shall, at the expiration of ten years from the coming into force of this Act and every succeeding period of ten years thereafter, undertake revision of the lists with a view to excluding from such lists those classes who have ceased to be backward classes or for including in such lists, new backward classes.

(2) The State Government shall, while undertaking any revision referred to in sub-section (1), consult the Commission.