Control of the Union over the administration of Scheduled Areas and the welfare of Scheduled Tribes

Article 300, Draft Constitution of India 1948

(1) The President may at any time and shall, on the expiration of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, by order, appoint a Commission to report on the administration of the scheduled areas and the welfare of the scheduled tribes in the States for the time being specified in Part I of the First Schedule.

The order may define the composition, powers and procedure of the Commission and may contain such incidental or ancillary provisions as the President may consider necessary or desirable.

(2) The executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of directions to such a State as to the drawing up and execution of schemes specified in the direction to be essential for the welfare of the scheduled tribes in the State.

Article 339, Constitution of India 1950

(1) The President may at any time and shall, at the expiration of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution by order appoint a Commission to report on the administration of the Scheduled Areas and the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes in the States specified in Part A and Part B of the First Schedule.

⁠The order may define the composition, powers and procedure of the Commission and may contain such incidental or ancillary provisions as the President may consider necessary or desirable.

⁠(2) The executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of directions to any such State as to the drawing up and execution of schemes specified in the direction to be essential for the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes in the State.

Draft Article 300 (Article 339, Constitution of India 1950) was taken up on 16 June, 1949. It gives the President the power to appoint a Commission to report on the administration and welfare of scheduled areas and tribes.  

The Drafting Committee Chairman moved an amendment to include Part III states of the first Schedule (Princely States) within the ambit of the Draft Article.  

Some members supported the Article and argued that it was important to include it in the Constitution for the empowerment of Scheduled Tribes. 

One Member however, felt that the Draft Article would not go far in imporving the conditions of Scheduled tribes. He stated that a mere appointment of a Commission wasn’t enough and felt that the Draft Article shouldn’t be added to the Constitution.  

The Drafting Committee Chairman’s amendment was accepted and the Draft Article was added to the Constitution without any further discussion.