Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram launched the revamped website “http://www.ncst.gov.in” of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion the Minister appreciated the efforts put in by NCST officials in the preparation of the new website. The Minister said that new website is repository of information for research scholars, students, media persons and the common man. Shri Oram said additional features like interactive section, mobile app and interactive toll free number should also be added to the new website. The Minister also said that this Ministry will assist NCST in organising seminars in Delhi and outside on various tribal issues.

The upgraded website launched is in compliance of guidelines and has additional features for creating effective awareness and communication of constitutional provisions and safeguards provided to the Scheduled Tribes. It also aims to assist the various stake holders including petitioners/complainant to access to the findings of the Commission in respect of such petitions /complaints and reviews undertaken by the NCST of Central Ministries/State Governments/PSUs which are placed and updated, from time to time. Open Source Technology, cloud server of GOI in place of earlier server of NIC, Linked with the Social Media i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Youtube etc., Video streaming and FAQs are some of the important features of the new website.

Earlier, Dr. Rameshwar Oraon, Chairperson, NCST welcomed the Minister and gave him a brief presentation about the important features of the new website. Dr. Shyam S. Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Shri Anil K Agarwal, Secretary NCST and other senior officials of the Ministry and NCST were also present on the occasion.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003. By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- (i) the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and (ii) the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) w.e.f. February 19, 2004.

Source Ministry of Tribal Affairs 02-March, 2016