Question : STRENGTHENING AND EMPOWERMENT OF NCM

(a) whether there was any proposal to strengthen and empower the National Commission for Minorities (NCM);

(b) if so, the latest status thereof; and

(c) the time by which the Commission is likely to be given the power and the role as envisaged?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI NINONG ERING)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b)&(c ): The Constitution (One Hundred and Third amendment) Bill, 2004, to confer constitutional status on the National Commission for Minorities and the National Commission for Minorities (Repeal) Bill were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December, 2004. The former Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment. After examination of the recommendations of the Standing Committee, notice for moving official amendments, and for consideration and passing of these Bills, was given to the Lok Sabha on 11.05.2007.

In the mean time representations were received on the proposed official amendments to the Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Bill, 2004 and after examination of these representation, notice for consideration and passing of these Bills, was once again given to the Lok Sabha on 05.02.2009. However, with the dissolution of the 14th Lok Sabha, these matters could not be taken up and both these Bills together with the official amendments lapsed.

The matter was further examined by Government and it was felt that, granting constitutional status to the National Commission for Minorities was of doubtful utility for imparting effectiveness to this body.

In July 2011 the NCM informed the Government that it did not want to pursue the grant of Constitutional status to the Commission but wanted powers of inquiry and investigation as accorded to the National Human Rights Commission be given to it. The matter is under examination by the Government. As the powers sought will entail consultations and amendment of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, no time frame can be fixed for completing the exercise.