About Us

Introduction

The West Bengal Minorities' Commission (WBMC) is a statutory body under Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department. West Bengal Minorities' Commission Act was enacted in 1996. This body, functions as apex body in the State of West Bengal for the redressal of grievances of Minorities.

The need to create an organization like West Bengal Minorities' Commission was felt necessary as there are too many instances where Minorities’ rights are being infringed or they are discriminated explicitly or implicitly on the basis of religion, caste, race, ethnicity, culture, etc. all over the world every day.

According to the instruction from Government of India to States, West Bengal Minorities' Commission was constituted in 1996 through a memorandum no. 84- P.M. dt.14/07/1994 by enactment of ‘West Bengal Minorities' Commission Act 1996’.

Six religious groups namely, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Parsee, Sikh and Jain enjoy the status of Religious Minority in our state.
Apart from that, seven linguistic groups namely, Urdu, Hindi, Nepali, Odiya, Telegu, Gurumukhi and Santhali are recognised as Linguistic Minorities under West Bengal Minorities' Commission Act 1996
There are Chairman, Vice-Chairperson and 9 other members in the Commission.
Out of 9 members, 6 members are to be from each religious community, 1 woman member and two open sits. Another 3 are ex-officio members – a) Member Secretary, West Bengal Minorities' Commission and b) Secretary, Minority Affairs & Madrasah Education Department & c) One nominated Representative form West Bengal Minority Development & Finance Corporation (which is currently vacant).
The tenure of members is 3 years.
Staff, recruited here, are permanent and designated as State Govt. Employees.

Functions

The Commission performs the following functions as described u/s 4 of West Bengal Minorities' Commission Act 1996 :-
1. Evaluates the progress of the development of Minorities of West Bengal and review implementation of the policies and programme of the State Government.
2. Monitors the working of the safeguards provided to the Minorities in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament or the State Government.
3. Makes recommendations for effective enforcement and implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of minorities provided by the Central Government or the State Government.
4. Looks into specific complaints regarding deprivation of social, economic, educational, cultural and linguistic rights and safeguards of the Minorities’ and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities.
5. Recommends to the State Government to accord minority status to religious, linguistic and ethnic groups, provided such groups do not enjoy any constitutional or statutory benefits or status.
6. Causes studies to be undertaken into problems arising out of any discrimination against Minorities and recommends measures for their removal.
7. Conducts studies, research and analysis on the issues relating to socio-economic and educational development of minorities.
8. Makes Annual Report and submits to the State Government on any matter pertaining to any of the functions of the Commission.
9. The Commission has the power of a civil court trying a suit while performing the functions under sub-section (1) of West Bengal Minorities' Commission Act, 1996.
10. The Commission shall, while investigating or enquiring into any complaints regarding violation or infringement of any rights of the Minority as guaranteed by the Constitution or as conferred by or under any Central Act or State Act, shall have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and in particular, in respect of the following matters:-

Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India, and examining him on oath,
Requiring the discovery and production of any document,
Receiving evidence on affidavits,
Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office, and
Issuing commissions for the examination of witness and documents any other matter which may be prescribed

Powers

The Commission have the power of a Civil Court trying a suit while performing its functions. The Commission shall, while investigating or enquiring into any complaint regarding violation or infringement of any rights of the Minorities as guaranteed by the Constitution or as conferred under any Central Act or State Act, have all the powers of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, and in particular, in respect of the following matters:

Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India, and examining him on oath.
Requiring the discovery and production of any document.
Receiving evidence on affidavits.
Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office.
Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents.

Minorities in West Bengal:

According to Cencus 2011, total population of West Bengal was 91,276,115.

Number of Minorities at that time is shown below:

West Bengal Minorities' Commission

Government of West Bengal, India