Section 8. Functions of the Commission.

CHAPTER-III. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION. (1) Subject to the performance of the functions of the National Commission for Minorities under section 9 of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 (Central Act 19 of 1992), the functions of the Commission shall be as follows:— (a) to examine the working of various safeguards provided in the Constitution and in the laws made 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 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 a factual assessment of the representation on minorities in the services of the Government undertakings, Government and quasi-Government bodies 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 recommendation; (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 matter with the appropriate authorities; and (k) any other matter which may be referred to it by the Government. (2) The Commission shall, while performing any of these functions, have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act V of 1908.)and in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:— (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person 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 which may be prescribed. (3) The Government shall cause the recommendations of the Commission to be laid before the Legislative Assembly 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 any of such recommendations.