National Commission for Minorities

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

The National Commission for Minorities today held a meeting with the Sikh Intelligentsia for inviting suggestions and advice to make the commemoration of the Veer Bal Diwas more meaningful.

• The Prime Minister had announced the 26th of December to be observed as Veer Bal Diwas to mark the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji. 
• They were martyred in Sirhind after being sealed alive in a wall on the 26th of December, 1704. Thereafter, the Central Government decided to commemorate the day as Veer Bal Diwas.

About National Commission of Minorities(NCM):

• National Commission for Minorities (NCM) is a statutory body set up in 1993 under the National Commission for Minorities(NCM) Act, 1992.
• Section 2 of the NCM Act stipulates that ‘Minority’ for the purposes of the Act means a community notified as such by the Central Government.
• Initially, five religious communities namely Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians(Parsis) were notified as minority communities. In 2014, Jains were also notified as another minority community.

Composition:

• The Commission consists of: Chairperson, Vice- Chairperson, and five Members.
• Hence, a total of 7 persons are to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability, and integrity.
• Each Member holds office for a period of three years from the date of assumption of office.

Functions of NCM:

• 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 Government or the State Governments;
• Look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the minorities
• Recommend measures for the removal of problems arising out of any discrimination against minorities;
• Conduct studies, research, and analysis on the issues relating to the socio-economic and educational development of minorities;
• Suggest appropriate measures in respect of any minority to be undertaken by the Central Government or the State Governments;
• Make periodical or special reports to the Central Government on any matter pertaining to minorities and in particular difficulties confronted by them; and
• Any other matter which may be referred to it by the Central Government.

Question: Discuss the composition and powers of the National Commission for Minorities.