Newly reconstituted National Commission for Minorities holds meeting

• The first meeting of the newly re-constituted National Commission for Minorities was held  under the chairmanship of Harjit Singh Grewal on August 20.

• During the meeting, the Commission reviewed matters pertaining to the welfare and interests of the minority communities and deliberated upon issues placed before it for consideration.

• Harjit Singh Grewal took charge as chairman of National Commission for Minorities on July 21.

National Commission for Minorities

• In January 1978, the government set up the Minorities Commission to safeguard the interests of minorities.

• With the enactment of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, the Minorities Commission became a statutory body and was renamed as the National Commission for Minorities.

• This Act came into force with effect from May 17, 1993. 

• The Commission consists of a chairperson, a vice chairperson and five members to be nominated by the central government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity. 

• The members, including the chairperson, are required to be from amongst the minority communities.

• In accordance with Section 4(1) of the NCM Act, 1992, each member including the chairperson holds office for a period of three years from the date of assumption of office.

The main functions of the Commission are:

i) Evaluate the progress of the development of minorities under the Union and states.

ii) Monitor the working of the safeguards for minorities provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the state legislatures.

iii) Make recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for protection of the interests of minorities by the central government or state governments.

iv) Look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the 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 state government.

viii) Make periodical or special reports to the central government on any matter pertaining to minorities and in particular difficulties confronted by them.

ix) Any other matter which may be referred by the central government.

Minority communities in India

• Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jain and Zoroastrians (Parsis) have been notified as minority communities.

• As per the Census 2011, the percentage of minorities in the country is about 19.3 per cent of the total population of the country. The population of Muslims are 14.2 per cent, Christians 2.3 per cent, Sikhs 1.7 per cent, Buddhists 0.7 per cent, Jain 0.4 per cent and Parsis 0.006 per cent.