Constitutional Status to National Commission for Minorities

Government has informed the Rajya Sabha that in order to confer constitutional status to the National Commission for Minorities, the Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December, 2004. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the House, Shri Vincent H. Pala, Minister of State for Minority Affairs informed the House that the Bill was referred to the Standing Committee. The recommendations of the Standing Committee regarding the Bill were considered and notice for moving official amendments was given to Lok Sabha on 11.5.2007, which however, lapsed with the conclusion of the budget Session in that year. Thereafter, certain representations were received regarding the amendment, which were duly considered. Shri Pala further informed the Rajya Sabha that notices were again given to the Lok Sabha on 5.2.2009. However, these could not be taken up till the dissolution of the 14th Lok Sabha. He said that further movement to confer constitutional status to the National Commission for Minorities has not been possible so far as some other related issues are under examination of the Government.