The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) held
its 8th meeting for the year 2024-25 in New Delhi on November 20, 2024, under the leadership
of Chairman Shri Iqbal Singh Lalpura. NCM Secretary Smt. Neelam Shami Rao and
other senior officials attended the meeting.
During the session, the Commission examined and
debated proposals based on the term reports of its Chairman and Members.
Directives were issued accordingly to handle the matters presented. The NCM
also recognized the successful launch of its first-ever monthly newsletter,
marking an important step toward improved transparency and communication.
A critical highlight of the meeting was the consent
of a recommendation to launch two new entities within the NCM: Research and
Data Analysis Division (RADA) and National Clearing House for Data Collection
and Management (NCHM).
These endeavors seek to improve the Commission’s
ability for data-driven decision-making and are embedded in the NCM Act of
1992. The recently authorized framework will supersede specific conditions of
the NCM (Procedures and Processes) Regulation, 1997, especially those about
evaluation, monitoring, and investigations on minority-related affairs.
The Commission was also notified on several crucial
matters, including:
- Recent
court judgments affecting minorities.
- The
Reserve Bank of India's report on credit facilities for minority
communities.
- Employment
trends and success stories from October 2024.
- Status
of grievance redressal mechanisms and follow-up meetings with state
governments.
Also, the proposal for creating awards for state
governments and the procedure for ascertaining the antecedents of consultants
were agreed during the meeting.
In a cordial gesture, the Commission bid adieu to
outgoing Vice Chairman Shri Kersi Kaikhushroo Deboo. Chairman Shri Iqbal Singh
Lalpura praised Shri Deboo’s contributions and extended appreciation for his
loyal service to the Commission.
The NCM’s meeting highlighted its devotion to
enabling the welfare and rights of minority communities via data-driven
policies, ingenious endeavors, and effective grievance redressal mechanisms.
(PR)