Powers of the National Commission for Minorities

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) is a statutory organization constituted under NCM Act, 1992. Under section 9(4) of this Act, it has power of a civil court for summoning and examining witnesses under oath etc. Under section 9(1)(d), the Commission is empowered to look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok sabha, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Shri Vincent H. Pala, has said that under section 9(1)(b) & 9(1)(c) the NCM has powers to monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the constitution and in laws enacted by the Parliament and the State Legislatures and make recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interest of minorities by the Central Government or the State Governments.