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.
