Question : STATUTORY STATUS TO OBC COMMISSION



(a) whether the OBC Commission has a statutory status like calling witnesses, summoning and examining and pass orders; and

(b) if not, the steps taken so far to accord status for OBC Commission?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI D. NAPOLEON)

(a) & (b) The National Backward Classes Commission (NCBC), which is a statutory Commission set up under the NCBC Act, 1993 has, under Section 10 of the said Act, all the powers of a civil court trying a suit, while performing its functions under sub-section (1) of Section 9 and in particular in respect of the following matters, namely,:-

`(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;

(c) receiving evidence of affidavits;

(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;

(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents; and

(f) any other matter which may be prescribed.`