Chapter III FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION

(1) The functions of the Commission shall be as follows :-

1. (a) to examine the working of various safeguards provided in the Constitution and in the laws passed by the State Legislature for the protection of minorities;
2. (b) to make recommendations with a view to ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of all the safeguards; 1[(bb) to make recommendations for implementing the Prime Ministers new 15 Point Programme.]
3. (c) to monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the constitution, laws enacted by the State Legislature and policies and schemes of the Government for minorities;
4. (d) to conduct studies, research and analysis on the questions of avoidance of discriminations against minorities;
5. (e) to make a factual assessment of the representation on minorities in the services of the Government undertakings, Government and quasi-Government bodies and in case representation is inadequate, to suggest ways and means to achieve the desired level;
6. (f) to make recommendations for ensuring, maintaining and promoting communal harmony in the State;
7. (g) to make periodical reports at prescribed intervals to the Government;
8. (h) to study any other matter which in the opinion of the Commission is important from the point of view of the welfare and development of minorities and to make appropriate recommendation;
   • (i) to consider the grievances of the minorities and to suggest appropriate solution from time to time;
9. (j) to look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of minorities and take up such matter with the appropriate authorities: Provided that if any matter specified in sub-section (1) is undertaken by the National Commission for Minorities constituted under section 3 of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 (Central Act 19 of 1992), the State Commission for Minorities shall cease to have jurisdiction in such matters.

1. (2) The Government shall cause the recommedations of the Commission to be laid before each House of the State Legislature along with the memorandum explaining the action taken or proposed to be taken on the recommendations and the reasons for non-acceptance, of any such recommendations.

¹ Inserted by Act 35 of 2011 w.e.f. 16.7.2011.

The commission shall, while performing any of the functions mentioned in sub-section (1) of section 10 have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of State and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents; and (f) any other matter as may be prescribed. ] 1. Inserted by Act 13 of 2016 w.e.f. 26.04.2016.

1. (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of State and examining him on oath;
2. (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;
3. (c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
4. (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;
5. (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents; and
6. (f) any other matter as may be prescribed. ]

¹ Inserted by Act 13 of 2016 w.e.f. 26.04.2016.

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Commission or Chairman, any member thereof or any persons acting under the direction of the Commission, in respect of anything which is done in good faith or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act, by or under the authority of Commission or any report, paper or proceedings of the Commission.