Newly appointed Chairperson of Minorities Commission felicitated

February 06, 2016:

Newly appointed Chairperson of Minorities Commission felicitated

The newly appointed Chairperson of Manipur State Minorities Commission (MSMC) Dr. Syed Burhan-uddin was felicitated, while the former Chairperson of the Commission A. Halim Chowdhury was given fare-well at a grand function held at Imphal Hotel at Imphal on February 4, 2015.

The function organised by MSMC was graced by MLA & Parliamentary Secretary of Minorities & Other Backward Communities (MOBC) Md. Amin Shah, the newly appointed Chairperson Dr. Syed Burhan-uddin, former Chairperson A. Halim Chowdhury and former Member of the Commission Professor M. S. Ningomba (Van Panthou Pa).

The function was attended by Government officials, representatives of Muslim, Buddhist and Christian communities.

Mementos were given to the in-coming and the out-going Chairpersons.

Addressing the gathering, A. Halim Chowdhury spoke at length the works he had done during his tenure as Chairperson of the Commission. He said, “The Commission was constituted by an executive order of the State Government on February 20, 2004 as a one-man commission and a non-statutory body, with very limited staff. It became a statutory body in 2010 with the enactment of the Manipur State Minorities Commission Bill 2010.

During my tenure the Commission took up awareness campaign in every nook and corner of the State advocating the minorities to go for education and informing them on the constitutional rights. The efforts of the Commission have borne fruit. The condition of the educationally backward communities has improved over the years. The enrolment of children from educationally backward communities especially the girls has gone up. The Commission also made recommendations from time to time to improve condition of the minorities in the State.”

In his speech, Dr. Syed Burhanuddin said that he will work tirelessly for the upliftment of the backward minorities of the State by emphasising on education, health and sports sector.

Dr. Syed Burhanuddin, a well-known surgeon, practised for many years in Saudi Arabia. He will hold the office for three years. The members of the commission are yet to be appointed.

The Commission has been given the power to:

1. To evaluate the working of the various safeguards provided in the Constitution and in the laws passed by the State legislature.
2. To make recommendations with a view to ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of all the safeguards.
3. To undertake a review of the implementation of policies and schemes of the State Government with respect to minorities.
4. To conduct studies, research and analysis on the question of avoidance of discrimination against minorities.
5. To suggest to the State Government appropriate legal and welfare measures in respect of minorities.
6. To study any other matter which the Commission considers is important from the point of view of the welfare and development of minorities, and thereby make appropriate recommendations.
7. To undertake a review of the implementation of the PM’s 15-Point Programme.
8. To consider the grievances of the minorities and suggest appropriate solution from time to time.
9. To make periodical reports to the State Government at prescribed intervals, etc.