Chapter III FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION

1. (1) The functions of the Commission shall be as follows :-
   • (a) to examine the working of various safeguards provided in the Constitution of India and in the laws passed by the State Legislature for the protection of minorities;
   • (b) to make recommendations with a view to ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of all the safeguards;
   • (c) to monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the Constitution, laws enacted by the Parliament and the State Legislature, and policies and schemes of the State Government for minorities;
   • (d) to conduct studies, research and analysis on the questions of avoidance of discriminations against minorities;
   • (e) to make a factual assessment of the representation of minorities in the services of the Government, Government undertakings, Quasi-Government bodies, Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and Village Panchayats and in case, the representation is inadequate, to suggest ways and means to achieve the desired level;
   • (f) to make recommendations for ensuring, maintaining and promoting communal harmony in the State;
   • (g) to make periodical reports at prescribed intervals to the Government;
   • (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 recommendations;
     • (i) to consider the grievances of the minorities and to suggest appropriate solution, from time to time;
   • (j) to look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities;
   • (k) to co-ordinate and supervise the implementation of the Prime Minister's 15 Points Programme for Welfare of Minorities : 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 (19 of 1992), the State Commission shall cease to have jurisdiction in such matters.
2. (2) The Government shall cause the recommendations 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, if any, of such recommendations.

1[10A. Powers of Commission.- The Commission shall, while performing any of its function under sub-section (1) of section 10, have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908) and, in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely :-

1. (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of the 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 document or copy of such record or document from any office; and
5. (e) issuing commission for the examination of witnesses and documents.]