(a) whether the structure and functions of the Equal Opportunity
Commission have been finalised and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the present status of the Equal Opportunity Commission Bill;
(c) whether the comments of the various stakeholders have been
received and suitably incorporated in the draft Bill;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the time by which the aforesaid Bill is likely to be introduced in Parliament?
MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS(SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 169 FOR 23.8.2012, RAISED BY SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED
BASHEER REGARDING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION.
(a) to (d) : As a follow up of the Sachar Committee recommendation
for setting up of an Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) to look into
the grievances of the deprived groups, the Government constituted an
Expert Group to recommend the structure, scope and functions along
with advice on an appropriate Legislative Framework of the proposed
Equal Opportunity Commission. The Expert Group consulted a number of
Institutions, stakeholders and experts across the country and after
taking on board their views, submitted their report to the Government.
The Expert Group also submitted a Draft Bill. The report of the
Expert Group was examined and a Draft Note for Cabinet for setting
up of an Equal Opportunity Commission was circulated to the
Ministries/Departments for comments. The Cabinet while
considering the Draft Bill on EOC, constituted a Group
of Ministers (GOM) to examine all issues relating to
setting up of an EOC including those relating to its
jurisdiction. The GOM has since made its recommendations,
which were taken into account in preparing the Draft
Equal Opportunity Commission Bill, 2011. This Bill was
again circulated to various Ministries/Departments
concerned and comments of most of the Ministries
have been received.
(e): As the comments received need further consultation,
some more time will be required for its finalization before
its introduction in the Parliament.