Functions of the Commission.

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

(a) to examine the working of various safeguards provided in the Constitution of India or the laws enacted by the Parliament or the laws passed by the State Legislature for the protection of Minorities and to make recommendations to ensure their effective implementation; (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 of India, laws enacted by the Parliament or State Legislature and policies and schemes of the Government for Minorities; (d) to conduct studies, research and analysis on the questions of avoidance of discriminations against Minorities; (e) to make assessment of the representation of Minorities in the various services under Government of Punjab and the means to achieve the desired level; (f) to make recommendations for ensuring, maintaining and promoting communal harmony in the state; (g) to make periodical or special reports to the Government on any matter pertaining to the minorities and in particular difficulties confronted by them; (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; and (k) to co-ordinate and supervise the implementation of the Prime Minister's 15-Point 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 (Central Act 19 of 1992), the State Commission shall cease to have jurisdiction in such matters.

(2) The Government shall cause the recommendations of the Commission to be laid before the House of the State Legislature alongwith 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.