into force from February, 2011. The overseas Indians can now furnish the documents self-
attested by them and get their name enrolled in the electoral roll of their respective constituency.
Reservation of Seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Our Constitution makers were fully conscious of the fact that the Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes had been an oppressed and under-privileged class in our society over the
centuries and they deserved a special dispensation so that their condition may be vastly
improved. For this purpose, several special provisions were incorporated in our Constitution.
One such provision related to the reservation of seats for these communities in Lok Sabha and
state legislative assemblies. This provision found place in Articles 330 and 332 of the
Constitution. Similarly, they were also sensitive of the difficulties and problems which were
likely to be faced by the persons belonging to Anglo Indian community in the country.
Consequently, adequate safeguards were provided for them in our Constitution by giving
representation to this small section of the society, under Article 331 of the Constitution by way
of nomination of two persons of that community in the House of the People by the President.
Likewise, provision for nomination of one member each by the Governor, wherever
necessary, belonging to this community in the state legislative assemblies was also incorporated.
Initially, the aforesaid provisions were made only for a period of ten years from the
commencement of the Constitution. Although several steps have been initiated by the
Government from time to time for improving the socio economic status of the Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes, yet they are still far behind other communities. Even in the political field,
they are not yet able to come up and get themselves elected to the representative bodies on their
own in adequate numbers. Similarly, there are still a small section of Anglo Indians which need
representation in the elected bodies. Consequently, the provision initially made for a period of
ten years has been extended from time to time. Recently, through the Constitution (One Hundred
Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2009 extension of the period for a further ten years has been passed by
both the Houses of Parliament and received the assent of the President in January, 2010. The said
Bill was enacted as the Constitution (Ninety-fifth Amendment) Act, 2009.