Functions of the Commission

(1) Subject to the provision of this Act, the Commission shall perform all or any of the following functions:- (a) investigate and examine all matters relating to the safeguard provided for women under the Constitution of India (hereinafter referred to as the Constitution) and other laws and recommend steps to be taken by the State Government for effective implementation of such safeguards; (b) undertake promotional and educational research so as to suggest ways of ensuring due representation of women in all spheres and identify factors responsible for impeding their advancement, such as, lack of access to housing and basic services, inadequate support service and technologies for reducing drudgery and occupational health hazards and for increasing their productivity; (c) take up cases of violation of the provisions of the Constitution and other laws relating to women in the State with the appropriate authorities; (d) look into complaints and take suo moto notice of matters relating to:- (i) deprivation of women's rights; (ii) non-implementation of laws enacted to provide protection and also to achieve the objectives of equality and development of women; (iii) non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines, instructions aimed at mitigating hardship and ensuring welfare and providing relief to women and to take up issues arising out of such matters with appropriate authorities; (e) call for special studies or investigation into specific problems or situation arising out of discrimination and atrocities against women and identify the constraints so as to recommend strategies for their removal; (f) evaluate the progress of the welfare and development of women in the state; (g) inspect or cause to be inspected jails, remand homes, women's institutions or other places of custody where women are kept as prisoners or otherwise and take up with the authorities concerned for remedial action, if found necessary; (h) make periodical reports to the Government on any matter pertaining to women and in particular various difficulties under which women toil; (i) any other matter which may be referred to it by the State Government; (j) funding of litigation involving issues affecting a large body of women; (k) participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of women. (2) The Commission shall, while investigating any matter referred to in sub-clauses (a) and (d) of sub-section (1), have all the powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while 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 India and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) any other matters which may be prescribed.