National Commission For Minorities: Establishment, Composition & Functions

• Constituted in 1978, through an executive resolution by the Ministry of Home Affairs for protecting, promoting and safeguarding the interests and rights of minorities.
• Became an autonomous, statutory (and not constitutional) body under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 and was renamed the National Commission for Minorities (earlier Minorities Commission). 
• The first statutory Commission was constituted in 1993. The Act does not define the term ‘minority’, but enables the Central Government to notify ‘minorities’ for the purposes of the Act.
• The Ministry of Minority Affairs is the Nodal ministry.

• Multi-member body nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity (Chairman, Vice-chairperson and 5 Members)

• 5 members, including the Chairperson, should be from amongst the minority communities.

• Evaluate the progress of the development of minorities under the Union/States.
• Monitor the working of the constitutional and legal safeguards for minorities.
• Recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards by centre/state.
• Look into specific complaints regarding the deprivation of rights/safeguards of minorities.
• Cause studies wrt problems arising out of discrimination against minorities.
• Conduct studies, research and analysis on issues relating to the socio-economic and educational development of minorities.
• Make periodical or special reports to the Central Government.
• Look into any other matter referred to it by the Central Government.

• The Commission presents an annual report as and when it thinks necessary to the Centre. 
• All such reports are presented before each House of Parliament, along with a memorandum(action taken on the recommendation made by the Commission). The memorandum contains the reasons for the non-acceptance of any of such recommendations.
• In case of a report being related to any matter connected with the State government, a copy of such a report is forwarded to the State government. The State Government places it before the state legislature, along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on the recommendations of the commission.

Removal of chairpersons and members

• Proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
• An undischarged insolvent.
• Engaged in paid employment outside office duties during the term of office.
• Convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence involving moral turpitude.
• Declared of unsound mind by a competent court.
• Refuses to act or becomes incapable of acting.
• Absent from three consecutive meetings of the Commission.
• Abused one’s official position which (in the opinion of the Central Government) renders one’s continuance in the office as detrimental to the public interest.

Powers of the body

 Possesses powers of a civil court with respect to all the relevant matters like summoning a person, receiving evidence etc.

• Summoning/enforcing attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him/her on oath
• Requiring the discovery and production of any document
• Receiving evidence on affidavits
• Requisitioning any public record from any court or office
• Issuing summons for the examination of witnesses and documents and
• Any other matter which may be prescribed by the Central Government