Sushree Mohanty
The Delhi High Court directed the Central government to produce a status report corresponding to the means and processes undertaken by it to fill the vacant positions at National Commission for Minorities in the matter of Abhay Ratan Bauddh versus Union of India.
Justice Prathiba M Singh notified the Central government to file a response concerning the status of arrangements while recording the plea of the applicants that six out of seven posts in the Commission were lying unfilled.
After a complaint was raised by the Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, the Court dismissed the Prime Minister’s Office from the information list of respondents.
According to the Additional Solicitor General, the Prime Minister’s Office has no task to carry out during appointment procedures.
The Hon’ble Court was hearing a request filed by Abhay Ratan Bauddh.
The applicant brought it to the notice of the Court that as of now, the Commission was working with its vice-chairperson while six other posts including that of the executive or chairperson were lying unfilled and no person has been appointed yet.
According to the petition, without its appropriate officials and due to the shortage of staff, the Commission has been unable to give the proper and timely assistance to the minorities.
The petition added that not filling the posts of Chairperson, positions for members of Buddhist, Christian, Parsi, Sikh and Jain in the National Commission for Minorities is abusing the procedures of the said Act and it is posing as an hindrance to the protections and interests of the applicant’s Buddhist minority community as well.
“…it is an obligatory duty of the respondent no. 1(Central government) and 2 (PMO) under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 to make appointed of Chairperson, member Buddhist, Christian, Parsi, Sikh and Jain in the National Commission for Minorities for the enforcement of the laws generally and to supervise the interest of minority communities,” the petition stated.
Additional Solicitor General added that the said Commission was working and carrying its duties with only one of its members which is its vice-chairperson and is fulfilling his duties.
However, the Court expressed its disapproval of the contentions and the judge stated“But there cannot be so many vacancies,”
The matter is listed for further hearing on March 8, 2021.
