NEW DELHI: The Government today told the Supreme Court that appointments to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) were pending because of an Election Commission’s directive against filling the posts till the poll process in five states got over.
“I have spoken to the authorities about the filling up of the vacancies. The Election Commission of India has told us not to do it till March 15 as Assembly election process is going on,” Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told a bench headed by Chief justice J S Khehar.
The apex court bench, also comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and S K Kaul, then fixed the matter for further hearing in the second week of April.
Earlier, the court had on March 7 sought the Government’s response on the PIL seeking filling up of the vacancies in the commission, which does not have any member at present.
NCSC, a statutory body formed under Article 338 of the Constitution, is a five-member panel comprising a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and three members. (AGENCIES)
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