Nand Kumar Sai assumes charge as Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

Nand Kumar Sai, senior tribal leader from Chhattisgarh, on 28 February 2017 assumed charge as the Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in New Delhi.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the 89th Amendment Act, 2003. The amendment replaced erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by two separate Commissions namely, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

The Chairperson of NCST has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Minister and the Vice-Chairperson that of a Minister of State.

The term of office of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and each member is three years from the date of assumption of charge.

About Nand Kumar Sai

• Born on 1 January 1946, Sai studied at NES College Jashpur. He obtained his Master’s degree in Political Science from Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur.

• He was elected to Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1977, 1985 and 1998.

• He was elected to Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly in 2000. He was the first leader of opposition in the assembly.

• He was elected to Lok Sabha in 1989, 1996 and 2004. He was elected to Rajya Sabha in 2009 and 2010.

• Sai has served as member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal and Steel. He also served as a member of the Parliamentary consultative committee of Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment.