National Commission for Minorities
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The National Commission for Minorities is a body constituted by the Government of India to monitor and evaluate the progress of people classified as minorities by the Indian government. Essentially the minorities in India consist of followers of all religions other than Hinduism and weaker sections in the Hindu community. The Commission is also referred to as the Minority Commission. It was formed as a result of an act of the Indian Parliament in 1993.[1]
[edit] Functions and powers
The Commission has the following functions:
- Evaluate the progress of the development of Minorities under the Union and States.
- Monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the State Legislatures.
- Make recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of Minorities by the Central Governments or the State Governments.
- Look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities.
The Commission has the following powers:
- Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath.
- Requiring the discovery and production of any document.
- Receiving evidence on affidavit.
- Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office.
- Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents.
[edit] Current Commission
The current commission constituted in 2006 (fifth to date) consists of:
- Mohammad Shafi Qureshi - Chairperson
- Michael P Pinto - Vice Chairperson
- Harcharan Singh Josh - Member
- Lama Chosphel Zotpa - Member
- Dileep Padagaonkar - Member
- Zoya Hasan - Member
The commission also employs other officers as well.
[edit] External links
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