August 6, 2019
Nadimul Haque makes a Zero Hour mention on granting constitutional status to the National Commission for Minorities
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Thank you, Honourable Chairman. Various commissions were set up by different governments with the aim of addressing the needs of a particular group of people. Granting constitutional status to such commissions did a world of good to these bodies as it made them effective.
Recently the National Commission for Backward Classes, or NCBC was awarded constitutional status. Now the time has come to do the same for the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). Granting it constitutional status will give it the power to act against errant officials who do not attend hearings, follow its order and are found guilty of dereliction of duty. In its present form the commission has the power to summon officials but has to rely on the departments concerned for acting against erring officials.
Giving it constitutional status will ensure the safeguarding of the rights of the minorities in a better manner as people will take the body seriously; it will lead to quick disposal of cases which is not happening currently. This has become even more important what with an alarming rise in the number of incidents against minorities over the last few years. It is therefore imperative that the National Commission for Minorities gets constitutional status. I would like to urge the Government to take necessary steps in this regard.
