National Commission for Minorities

About the Commission:

• It is a statutory body formed on the basis of National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 and replaced an earlier body called Minorities Commission.
• The Commission consists of a total of 7 persons to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst  persons of eminence, ability and integrity.
• It consists of a Chairperson, A Vice- Chairperson and Five Members.
• Each Member holds office for a period of three years from the date of assumption of  office.

Functions:

• Evaluation of the progress of the development of minorities under the Union and States.
• Monitoring of the working of the safeguards for minorities provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the State Legislatures.
• Making recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of minorities by the Central Government or the State Governments.
• Looking into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of minorities and taking up such matters with the appropriate authorities.
•  Getting studies to be undertaken into the problems arising out of any discrimination against minorities and recommending measures for their removal.
• Conducting studies, research and analysis on the issues relating to socio-economic and educational development of minorities.
•  Suggesting appropriate measures in respect of any minority to be undertaken by the Central Government or the State Governments.
•  Making periodical or special reports to the Central Government or any matter pertaining to minorities and in particular the difficulties confronted by them
• Any other matter, which may be referred to it by the Central Government.

Who are minorities?

• Five  religious communities viz; the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) were notified as minorities in 1993.
• In 27th Jan 2014, Jains have also been notified as minority community.
• As per the 2001 Census, these six religious minority communities constitute 18.80% of the country’s population

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements about the minorities in India:
1.The Government of India has notified only five communities, namely, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Jains as Minorities.
2.The National Commission for Minorities was given statutory status in 1993.
3.The Constitution of India recognizes and protects religious and linguistic minorities.
Which of these statements are correct?
(a)2 and 3  
(b)1 and 3
(c)2 and 3
(d)1,2 and 3

Answer to prelims question