Question : National Commission for Minorities

(a) whether it is a fact that National Minority Commission was set up to look into the interests of minorities in the country;
(b) the total sanctioned strength of posts in the said Commission;
(c) the number of posts lying vacant in the Commission;
(d) whether posts of Chairman, Members etc. are lying vacant in the Commission;
(e) if so, the steps taken/being taken to fill the posts and the time by which vacant posts are likely to be filled;
(f) whether Hon’ble High Court of Delhi has asked the Union Government to explain as to why these posts are vacant; and
(g) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken or being taken by the Government on the observation of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi to fill the vacant posts in the Commission?

MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a) The National Commission for Minorities(NCM) has been set up by Government as per NCM Act, 1992 to (a) evaluate the progress of the development of minorities under the Union and States; (b) monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the State Legislatures; (c) make recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of minorities by the Central Government or the State Governments; (d) look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities; (e) cause studies to be undertaken into problems arising out of any discrimination against minorities and recommend measures for their removal; (f) conduct studies, research and analysis on the issues relating to socio-economic and educational development of minorities; (g) suggest appropriate measures in respect of any minority to be undertaken by the Central Government or the State Governments; (h) make periodical or special reports to the Central Government on any matter pertaining to minorities and in particular difficulties confronted by them; and (i) any other matter which may be referred to it by the Central Government.

(b) to (d) The total sanctioned strength of posts in NCM is 86 and at present 49 posts are lying vacant, which include one post of Chairperson and five posts of Members which have fallen vacant during the COVID pandemic period.


(e) to (g): Post falling vacant and filling up of said posts is an ongoing process and the same is done as per the Recruitment Rules/provisions of the post concerned and policies of the Government. The Hon''ble Delhi High Court in case of W.P.(C) 1985/2021 has directed that the nomination of all the vacant positions in the Commission be filled on or before 31st July, 2021. The direction of the Hon''ble Delhi High Court is under consideration with the Government.
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