Lok Sabha Question No. 825 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-07
Subject: National Commission for Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Midhun Reddy, Chinta Anuradha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 825

## ANSWERED ON 07.12.2023

## NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES

## 825. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

## SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  taking  steps  to  empower  the  National  Commission  for Minorities established in the year 1992;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) the challenges faced in this respect;

(d) whether the Government proposes to make it a constitutional body; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  to  (e):  The  National  Commission for Minorities  (NCM) was set up as a statutory body through the NCM Act, 1992 and is sufficiently empowered to carry out its mandate. As per Section 9(1) of the NCM Act, 1992, the Commission is empowered to act as below:-

(i) evaluate the progress of the development of Minorities under the Union and States;

(ii) monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the State Legislatures;

(iii)  make  recommendations  for  the  effective  implementation  of  safeguards  for  the protection of the interests of Minorities by  the  Central  Government  or  the  State Governments;

(iv)  look  into  specific  complaints  regarding  deprivation  of  rights  and  safeguards  of Minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities;

(v)   cause  studies  to  be  undertaken  into  the  problems  arising  out  of  any  discrimination against Minorities and recommend measures for their removal;

(vi)   conduct studies,  research and analysis on the  issues  relating to socio-economic and educational development of Minorities;

(vii)  suggest  appropriate  measures  in  respect  of  any  Minority  to  be  undertaken  by  the Central Government or the State Governments;

(viii)  make  periodical  or  special  reports  to  the  Central  Government  on  any  matter pertaining to Minorities and in particular difficulties confronted by them; and

(ix) any other matter, which may be referred to it by the Central Government

Further, as per Section 9 (4) of the NCM Act, the Commission while performing any of the functions listed in (i), (ii) & (iv) above, has all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and, in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:-

(i)  summoning  and  enforcing  the  attendance  of  any  person  from  any  part  of  India  and examining him on oath;

(ii) requiring the discovery and production of any document;

(iii) receiving evidence on affidavits;

- (iv) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;
- (v) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents; and

(vi) any other matter which may be prescribed

The  commission  has  been  functioning  satisfactorily  and  sufficient  funds  have  been provided to it. Therefore, there is no proposal to make it a constitutional body.

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