Lok Sabha Question No. 1645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-29
Subject: National Commission for Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: S. Venkatesan, Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1645 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2021

## NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES

## 1645.  SHRI S. VENKATESAN: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that  National Minority Commission was set up to look into the interests of minorities in the country;
- (b) the total sanctioned strength of posts in the said Commission;
- (c) the number of posts lying vacant in the Commission;
- (d) whether posts of Chairman, Members etc. are lying vacant in the Commission;
- (e) if so, the steps taken/being taken to fill the posts and the time by which vacant posts are likely to be filled;
- (f) whether Hon'ble High Court of Delhi has asked the Union Government to explain as to why these posts are vacant; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken or being taken by the Government on the observation of Hon'ble High Court of Delhi to fill the vacant posts in the Commission?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a) The National Commission for Minorities(NCM) has been set up by Government as per NCM Act, 1992  to (a) evaluate the progress of the development of minorities under the Union and States; (b) monitor  the  working  of  the  safeguards  provided  in  the  Constitution  and  in  laws  enacted  by Parliament and the State Legislatures; (c) make recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of minorities by the Central Government or the State  Governments;  (d)  look  into  specific  complaints  regarding  deprivation  of  rights  and safeguards of the minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities; (e) cause studies to be undertaken into problems arising out of any discrimination against minorities and recommend measures for their removal; (f) conduct studies, research and analysis on the issues relating  to  socio-economic  and  educational  development  of minorities;    (g)  suggest  appropriate measures  in  respect  of  any  minority  to  be  undertaken  by  the  Central  Government  or  the  State Governments; (h) make  periodical  or  special  reports  to  the  Central  Government  on  any  matter pertaining to minorities and in particular difficulties confronted by them; and (i) any other matter which may be referred to it by the Central Government.
- (b) to (d) The total sanctioned strength of posts in NCM is 86 and at present 49 posts are lying vacant, which include one post of Chairperson and five posts of Members which have fallen vacant during the COVID pandemic period.
- (e) to (g):  Post falling vacant and filling up of said posts is an ongoing process and the same is done as  per  the  Recruitment Rules/provisions of the post concerned and policies of the Government. The Hon'ble Delhi High Court in case of W.P.(C) 1985/2021 has directed that the nomination of all the vacant positions in the Commission be filled on or before 31st July, 2021.  The direction of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court is under consideration with the Government.

*****