Haryana assembly passed State Commission for Scheduled Caste Bill, 2018 :

The state assembly of Haryana has passed the Haryana State Commission for Scheduled Castes Bill, 2018, for development and safeguarding the interests of people belonging to the community. The bill was passed on the last day of the state assembly’s session.

Objective :

1. The Haryana State Commission for Scheduled Castes Bill, 2018, has been passed to set up a commission for scheduled castes in the state for the overall development and welfare of the community and to safeguard their interests.

2. The commission would also check and curb the atrocities committed on the people belonging to the scheduled caste community.

Key Duties :

1. The commission will investigate and examine the working of various safeguards provided in the constitution or under any other law or under any order of the government for the welfare and protection of the scheduled castes.

2. It will also inquire into specific complaints regarding the violation of rights of the SCs and take such matter to the appropriate authorities.

3. It will also participate and advise on the planning process of the socio-economic development of the SCs and evaluate the progress of their development as per the Bill.

Powers :

The commission will enjoy similar powers as that of a civil court. It will have the power of summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath as per the Bill.

Term & Composition :

The commission would consist of a chairperson, vice-chairperson and members who would hold office for a term of three years.

Other bills passed in assembly are:

1. The Haryana Legislative Assembly has also passed the Punjab Land Improvement Schemes (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2018, which aims to facilitate farmers for laying out an underground pipeline for irrigation purposes passing through the fields of other farmers.The legislation is significant, as, in some areas of the state, underground water is brackish in nature or quality and is not fit for irrigation.

2. Factories (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2018; Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Indian Stamp (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2018;  Haryana Goods and Services Tax (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2018 and Haryana Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 2018.