NCM almost ineffective to deal with cases of atrocities against minorities: Parl panel

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) is almost ineffective in its current state to deal with cases of atrocities against minority communities, a parliamentary committee has observed as it recommended constitutional status to the statutory body without any delay.

The Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment (2017-18) in its 53rd report also noted that in the absence of a constitutional status, the NCM does not enjoy the same powers as enjoyed by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

The report was presented to the Lok Sabha and laid in the Rajya Sabha today.

As there are many reported incidents of atrocities against members of the minority communities, and the National Commission for Minorities in its present state and structure is almost ineffective in dealing with such cases, the parliamentary committee recommended that the body be given constitutional status as soon as possible, the Committee chaired by Ramesh Bais said in the report.

The parliamentary panel, however, did not specify any particular incident as it made the observations.

It noted that a bill according to constitutional status to the NCM was prepared way back in 2013 and that it was still pending before the government.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Minority Affairs assured the committee that a resolution in this regard would be passed in the next meeting and sent to the cabinet secretary.

The panel is also said to have asked the ministry why the NCM does not take note as well as action on various incidents taking place against the minority in the country.