Minority Benefits

Author(s): Babita Jain
Publisher: Shrut Samvardhan Samsthan

Page 28

1.
National Commission for
Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI)
(A quasi-judicial body set up under the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act, 2004 for protection of educational rights of minorities)
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The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) was set up in 2004 under the provisions of the NCMEI Act, 2004. Under the Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme for Welfare of Minorities, there will be definite goals which are to be achieved in specific time frame on high priority in enhancing opportunity for education.
4. This Commission has been endowed with the powers of a Civil Court. It is to be headed by a Chairman who has been a Judge of the High Court and three members are to be nominated by Central Government. The Commission has three roles. namely adjudicatory function, advisory function and recommendatory powers.
So far as affiliation of a minority educational institution to a university is concerned, the decision of the Commission would be final.
The Commission is mandated to look into specific complaints regarding deprivation or violation of rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Protection of rights of minorities are enshrined in Article 30 of the Constitution which states that "all minorities, whether based on religion or language shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice".
Thus, the Commission can look into any complaints relating to violation and deprivation of rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
6. The Commission has powers to advise the Central Government or any State Government on any question relating to the education of minorities that may be referred to it.
The Commission can make recommendations to the Central Government and the State Governments regarding any matter which directly or indirectly deprives the minority community of their educational rights enshrined in Article 30.
The empowerment of the Commission has provided a much needed forum for the minority educational institutions to highlight their grievances and to get speedy relief. The subject matter of a petition/complaint include non issue of No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the State Governments, delay in issue of NOC, refusal/delay
finority Benefits
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