Agri Export Zone of India

Under chapter 16 of Exim Policy 2001, a new concept of Agri Export Zone (AEZ) has been inserted by Govt. of India. APEDA has been nominated as the Nodal Agency to coordinate the efforts on the part of Central Govt. negotiations. This concept has been explained below :
1. The Concept of Agri Export Zone
Sporadic efforts have been made in the past for promoting export of agricultural produce/products from the country. Thus, on the one hand Research and Development has taken place with little bearing on the development of a particular agricultural produce for the purpose of export, on the other hand financial and fiscal incentives are being provided for exporting a particular produce without actually addressing pre-harvesting and post-harvesting practices. The concept of agri export zone thus attempts to take a comprehensive look at a particular produce/product located in a contiguous area for the purpose of developing and sourcing the raw materials, their processing/packaging, leading to final exports. Thus, the entire effort is centred around the cluster approach of identifying the potential products, the geographical region in which these products are grown and adopting an end-to-end approach of integrating the entire process right from the stage of production till it reaches the market. There would also be a need to identify/enlist difficulties/ problems encountered at each stage. These difficulties could be procedural in nature or may relate to a particular quality standard. A package needs to be developed to suggest solutions to these problems and agency/agencies identified to implement these in a given time frame.

S No Product State District/Area Date of Approval Date of Notification Date of Signing of MOU More Details Contact Details 1. Pineapple West Bengal Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri 7th Sep 2001 8th Oct 2001 18th Sep 2001 2 Gherkins Karnataka Tumkur, Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Hassan, Kolar, Chtradurga, Dharwad and Bagalkot 7th Sep 2001 8th Oct 2001 19th Sep 2001 3 Lychee Uttranchal Udhamsingh Nagar, Nainital and Dehradun 7th Sep 2001 8th Oct 2001 22nd Sep 2001 4 Vegetables Punjab Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Sangrur, Ropar & Ludhiana 11th Oct 2001 8th Mar 2002 29th Oct 2001 5 Potatoes Uttar Pradesh Agra, Hathras, Farrukhabad, Kannoj, Meerut, Aligarh and Bagpat 11th Oct 2001 8th Mar 2002 7th Nov 2001 6 Mangoes and Vegetables Uttar Pradesh Lucknow, Unnao, Hardoi, Sitapur & Barabanki 11th Oct 2001 8th Mar 2002 7th Nov 2001 7 Potatoes Punjab Singhpura, Zirakpur (Patiala), Rampura Phul, Muktsar, Ludhiana, Jallandhar 27th Nov 2001 8th Mar 2002 20th Dec 2001 8 Mangoes Uttar Pradesh Sahranpur, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnaur, Meerut, Baghpat, Bulandshar and Jyotifulenagar 27th Nov 2001 8th Mar 2002 21st Dec 2001 9 Grapes and Grape Wine Maharashtra Nasik, Sangli, Pune, Satara, Ahmednagar and Sholapur 27th Nov 2001 8th Feb 2002 7th Jan 2002 10 Mango Pulp & Fresh Vegetables Andhra Pradesh Chittor District 23rd Jan 2002 8th Mar 2002 28th Jan 2002 11 Pineapple Tripura Kumarghat, Manu, Melaghar, Matabari and Kakraban Blocks 23rd Jan 2002 8th Mar 2002 1st Feb 2002 12 Potatoes, Onion and Garlic Madhya Pradesh Malwa, Ujjain, Indore, Dewas, Dhar, Shajapur, Ratlam, Neemuch and Mandsaur 23rd Jan 2002 8th Mar 2002 11th Feb 2002 13 Mangoes Maharashtra Districts of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Raigarh and Thane 23rd Jan 2002 8th Mar 2002 12th Feb 2002 14 Apples Jammu & Kashmir Districts of Srinagar, Baramula, Anantnag, Kupwara, Badgaum and Pulwama 23rd Jan 2002 8th Mar 2002 18th Mar 2002 15 Flowers Tamil Nadu Dharmapuri 27th Nov 2001 8th Feb 2002 20th Mar 2002 16 Lychee West Bengal Districts of Murshidabad, Malda, 24 Pargana (N) and 24 Pargana (S) 5th Mar 2002 31st Mar 2002 23rd Mar 2002 17 Lychee Bihar Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Hajipur, Vaishali, East and West Champaran, Bhagalpur, Begulsarai, Khagaria, Sitamarhi, Sarannd Gopalganj 5th Mar 2002 31st Mar 2002 5th Apr 2002 18 Kesar Mango Maharashtra Districts of Aurangabad, Jalna, Beed, Latur, Ahmednagar and Nasik 5th Mar 2002 31st Mar 2002 11th Apr 2002 19 Walnut Jammu & Kashmir Kashmir Region – Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Kupwara and Srinagar / Jammu Region - Doda, Poonch, Udhampur, Rajouri and Kathua 5th Mar 2002 31st Mar 2002 11th May 2002 20 Flowers Uttranchal Districts of Dehradun, Pantnagar 23rd Apr 2002 5th Jun 2002 30th May 2002 21 Mangoes & Vegetables Gujarat Districts of Ahmedabad, Khaida, Anand, Vadodra, Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Bharuch and Narmada 23rd Apr 2002 5th Jun 2002 30th May 2002 22 Flowers Maharashtra Pune, Nasik, Kolhapur and Sangli 5th Mar 2002 31st Mar 2002 10th Jun 2002 23 Potatoes West Bengal Districts of Hoogly, Burdwan, Midnapore (W), Uday Narayanpur and Howrah 23rd Apr 2002 5th Jun 2002 18th Jun 2002 24 Rose Onion Karnataka Bangalore (Urban), Bangalore (Rural), Kolar 13th Jun 2002 1st Jul 2002 1st Jul 2002 25 Flowers Karnataka Bangalore (Urban), Bangalore (Rural), Kolar, Tumkur, Kodagu and Belgaum 13th Jun 2002 1st Jul 2002 1st Jul 2002 26 Mango & Grapes Andhra Pradesh Districts of Ranga Reddy, Medak & Parts of Mahaboobnagar Districts 23rd Apr 2002 5th Jun 2002 29th Jul 2002 27 Flowers (Orchids) & Cherry Pepper Sikkim East Sikkim 13th Jun 2002 1st Jul 2002 26th Aug 2002 28 Ginger Sikkim North, East, South & West Sikkim 13th Jun 2002 1st Jul 2002 26th Aug 2002 29 Apples Himachal Pradesh Shimla, Sirmour, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba and Kinnaur 28th Aug 2002 13th Sep 2002 17th Sep 2002 30 Basmati Rice Punjab Districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahar 28th Aug 2002 13th Sep 2002 17th Sep 2002 31 Mangoes Andhra Pradesh Krishna District 28th Aug 2002 13th Sep 2002 27th Sep 2002 32 Flowers Tamilnadu Nilgiri District 28th Aug 2002 13th Sep 2002 6th Feb 2003 33 Onion Maharashtra Districts of Nasik, Ahmednagar, Pune, Satara and Solapur 18th Nov 2002 15th Jan 2003 16th Jan 2003 34 Ginger and Turmeric Orissa Kandhamal District 18th Nov 2002 15th Jan 2003 10th Jan 2003 35 Vegetables Jharkhand Ranchi, Hazaribagh and Lohardaga 18th Nov 2002 15th Jan 2003 15th Feb 2003 36 Seed Spices Madhya Pradesh Guna, Mandsaur, Ujjain, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Shajapur and Neemuch 18th Nov 2002 15th Jan 2003 28th Nov 2002 37 Basmati Rice Uttaranchal Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Dehradun and Haridwar 18th Nov 2002 15th Jan 2003 24th Jan 2003 38 Mangoes West Bengal Malda and Murshidabad 18th Nov 2002 15th Jan 2003 16th Dec 2002 39 Vegetables West Bengal Nadia, Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas 18th Nov 2002 15th Jan 2003 16th Dec 2002 40 Mangoes Tamil Nadu Districts of Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Virudhunagar and Tirunelveli 18th Nov 2002 15th Jan 2003 6th Feb 2003 41 Wheat Madhya Pradesh Three distinct and contiguous zones:- Ujjain Zone comprising of Neemach, Ratlam, Mandsaur and Ujjain / Indore Zone comprising of Indore, Dhar, Shajapur and Dewas / Bhopal Division, comprising of Sehore, Vidisha, Raisen, Hoshangabad, Harda, Narsinghpur and Bhopal 28th Aug 2002 15th Jan 2003 16th Jan 2003 42 Horticulture Products Kerala Districts of Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayaam, Alappuzha, Pathanumthitta, Kollam, Thiruvanthapuram, Idukki and Palakkod 3rd Feb 2003 28th Feb 2003 5th Mar 2003 43 Fresh & Processed Ginger Assam Kamrup, Nalbari, Barpeta, Darrang, Nagaon, Morigaon, Karbi Anglong and North Cachar districts 3rd Feb 2003 28th Feb 2003 4th Apr 2003 44 Basmati Rice Uttar Pradesh Districts of Bareilly, Shahajahanpur, Pilibhit, Rampur, Badaun, Bijnor, Moradabad, J B Phulenagar, Saharanpur, Mujjafarnagar, Meerut, Bulandshahar, Ghaziabad 3rd Feb 2003 28th Feb 2003 11th Mar 2003 45 Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Uttranchal Districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Dehradun and Nainital 3rd Feb 2003 28th Feb 2003 26th Mar 2003 46 Dehydrated Onion Gujarat Districts of Bhavnagar, Surendranagar, Amreli, Rajkot, Junagadh and Jamnagar. 5th May 2003 14th May, 2003 10th June, 2003 47 Gherkins Andhra Pradesh Districts of Mahboobnagar, Rangareddy, Medak, Karinagar, Warangal, Ananthpur and Nalgonda 5th May 2003 14th May, 2003 12th May, 2003 48 Pomegranate Maharashtra Districts of Solapur, Sangli, Ahedabagar, Pune, Nasik, Osmanabad, Latur 5th May 2003 14th May, 2003 9th June, 2003 49 Banana Maharashtra Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurbar, Buldhana, Parbhani, Hindoli, Nanded and Wardha 24th September, 2004 8th November, 2004 - 50 Oranges Maharashtra Nagpur and Amraoti 24th September, 2004 8th November, 2004 - 51 Lentil and Grams Madhya Pradesh Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Raisen, Narsinghpura, Chhindwara 24th September, 2004 8th November, 2004 - 52 Oranges Madhya Pradesh Chhindwara, Hoshangabad, Betul 24th September, 2004 8th November, 2004 - 53 Cashewnut Tamil Nadu Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Sivaganga 24th September, 2004 8th November, 2004 - 54 Sesame Seeds Gujarat Amerali, Bhavnagar, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar 24th September, 2004 8th November, 2004 13th January, 2005 55 Vanilla Karnataka Districts of Dakshin Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Shimoga, Kodagu, Chickamagalur 24th September, 2004 14th January, 2005 - 56 Darjeeling Tea West Bengal Darjeeling 24th September, 2004 - - 57 Coriander Rajasthan Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar & Chittoor 24th September, 2004 - - 58 Cumin Rajasthan Nagaur, Barmer, Jalore, Pali and Jodhpur 24th September, 2004 - - 59 Medicinal Plant Kerala Wayanad, Mallapuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kollam, Pathanamittha, Thiruvananthapuram 24th September, 2004 14th January, 2005 1st January, 2005 60 Chilli Andhra Pradesh Guntur 24th September, 2004 14th January, 2005 29th December, 2005

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Constitution of a National Human Rights Commission

(1) The Central Government shall constitute a body to be known
as the National Human Rights Commission to exercise the powers conferred
upon, and to perform the functions assigned to it, under this Act.
(2) The Commission shall consist of:
(a) a Chairperson who has been a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court;
(b) one Member who is or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court;
(c) one Member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court;
(d) two Members to be appointed from amongst persons
having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights.
(3) The Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities,
[the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes, the National Commission
for the Scheduled Tribes] and the National Commission for Women shall
be deemed to be Members of the Commission for the discharge of functions
specified in clauses (b) to (j) of section 12.
(4) There shall be a Secretary-General who shall be the Chief
Executive Officer of the Commission and shall exercise such powers and
discharge such functions of the Commission [except judicial functions and
the power to make regulations under section 40 B], as may be delegated
to him by the Commission or the Chairperson as the case may be.
(5) The headquarters of the Commission shall be at Delhi and the
Commission may, with the previous approval of the Central Government,
establish offices at other places in India.

Appointment of Chairperson and other Members:

(1) The Chairperson and [the Members] shall be appointed by the
President by warrant under his hand and seal;
Provided that every appointment under this sub-section shall be made
after obtaining the recommendations of a Committee consisting of–
(a) The Prime Minister — Chairperson
(b) Speaker of the House of the People — Member
(c) Minister in-charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the
Government of India — Member
(d) Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People — Member
(e) Leader of the Opposition in the Council of States — Member
(f) Deputy Chairman of the Council of States — Member
Provided further that no sitting Judge of the Supreme Court or sitting
Chief Justice of a High Court shall be appointed except after consultation
with the Chief Justice of India.
(2) No appointment of a Chairperson or a Member shall be invalid
merely by reason of any [vacancy of any member in the Committee referred
to in the first proviso to sub-section (1)].

Resignation and removal of Chairperson and Members

(1) The Chairperson or any Member may, by notice in writing under
his hand addressed to the President of India, resign his office.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), the Chairperson or
any Member shall only be removed from his office by order of the President
of India on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity after the
Supreme Court, on reference being made to it by the President, has, on
inquiry held in accordance with the procedure prescribed in that behalf by
the Supreme Court, reported that the Chairperson or the Member, as the
case may be, ought on any such ground to be removed.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (2), the President may,
by order, remove from office the Chairperson or any Member if the
Chairperson or such Member, as the case may be–
(a) is adjudged an insolvent; or
(b) engages during his term of office in any paid employment outside
the duties of his office; or
(c) is unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body; or
(d) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or
(e) is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which
in the opinion of the President involves moral turpitude.

Term of office of Chairperson and Members

(1) A person appointed as Chairperson shall hold office for a term
of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office or until he
attains the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.
(2) A person appointed as a Member shall hold office for a term
of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office and shall
be eligible for re-appointment for another term of five years.
Provided that no Member shall hold office after he has attained the
age of seventy years.
(3) On ceasing to hold office, a Chairperson or a Member shall be
ineligible for further employment under the Government of India or under
the Government of any State.

Member to act as Chairperson or to discharge his functions

in certain circumstances
(1) In the event of the occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the Chairperson by reason of his death, resignation or otherwise, the President may, by notification, authorise one of the Members to act as the
Chairperson until the appointment of a new Chairperson to fill such
vacancy.
(2) When the Chairperson is unable to discharge his functions owing
to absence on leave or otherwise, such one of the Members as the President
may, by notification, authorise in this behalf, shall discharge the functions
of the Chairperson until the date on which the Chairperson resumes his duties.

Terms and conditions of service of Chairperson and Members

The salaries and allowances payable to, and other terms and
conditions of service of, the [Chairperson and] Members shall be such as
may be prescribed.
Provided that neither the salary and allowances nor the other terms
and conditions of service of [the Chairperson or] a Member shall be varied
to his disadvantage after his appointment.]

Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate the proceedings of the Commission

No act or proceedings of the Commission shall be questioned or shall
be invalidated merely on the ground of existence of any vacancy or defect
in the constitution of the Commission.

Procedure to be regulated by the Commission

(1) The Commission shall meet at such time and place as the
Chairperson may think fit.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules made
thereunder, the Commission shall have the power to lay down by regulations
its own procedure.
(3) All orders and decisions of the Commission shall be authenticated
by the Secretary-General or any other officer of the Commission duly
authorised by the Chairperson in this behalf.
11. Officers and other staff of the Commission
(1) The Central Government shall make available to the Commission:
(a) an officer of the rank of the Secretary to the Government
of India who shall be the Secretary-General of the
Commission; and
(b) such police and investigative staff under an officer not
below the rank of a Director General of Police and such
other officers and staff as may be necessary for the efficient
performance of the functions of the Commission.
(2) Subject to such rules as may be made by the Central Government
in this behalf, the Commission may appoint such other administrative,
technical and scientific staff as it may consider necessary.
(3) The salaries, allowances and conditions of service of the officers
and other staff appointed under sub-section (2) shall be such as may be
prescribed.

The Programmes in pursuance of Supreme Court Remit are :

Abolition of Bonded Labour
Functioning of the Mental Hospitals at Ranchi, Agra and Gwalior
Functioning of the Government Protective Home (Women), Agra
Right to Food

Other Programmes and Human Rights issues taken up by the Commission include :-

Review of the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929
Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Preventing Employment of Children by Government Servants: Amendment of Service Rules
Abolition of Child Labour

Guidebook for the Media on Sexual Violence against Children
Trafficking in Women and Children : Manual for the Judiciary for Gender Sensitisation
Sensitization Programme on Prevention of Sex Tourism and Trafficking
Maternal Anaemia and Human Rights
Rehabilitation of Destitute Women in Vrindavan
Combating Sexual Harassment of Women at the Work Place
Harassment of Women Passengers in Trains
Abolition of Manual Scavenging
Dalits issues including atrocities perpetrated on them
Problems faced by Denotified and Nomadic Tribes
Rights of the Disabled
Right to Health
HIV/AIDS
Relief Work for the Victims of 1999 Orissa Cyclone
Monitoring of relief measures undertaken after Gujarat Earthquake 2001
District Complaints Authority
Population Policy- Development and Human Rights

Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, former Chief Justice of India today joined as the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India. He is the sixth Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES

UN Declaration of 18th December 1992:

In order to strengthen the cause of the minorities, the United Nations promulgated the “Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities” on 18th December 1992 proclaiming that:

“States shall protect the existence of the National or Ethnic, Cultural, Religious and Linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity.”

The National Commission for Minorities has been observing the 18th December as a Minorities Rights Day every year.


‘Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for Welfare of Minorities’:

(A) Enhancing opportunities for Education.

(1) Equitable availability of ICDS Services

The integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is aimed at holistic development of children and pregnant/lactating mothers from disadvantaged section, by providing services through Anganwadi Centres such as supplementary nutrition , immunization, health check-up, referral services, pre-school and non-formal education. A certain percentage of the ICDS projects and Anganwadi Centres will be located in blocks/villages with a substantial population of minority communities to ensure that he benefits of the scheme are equitable available to such communities also.

(2) Improving access to School Education

Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme, and other similar Government schemes, it will be ensured that a certain percentage of such school are located in villages/localities having a substantial population of minority communities

(3) Greater resources for teaching Urdu

Central assistance will be provided for recruitment and posting of Urdu language teachers in primary and upper primary schools that serve a population in which at least one-fourth belong to that language group.

(4) Modernizing Madarsa Education

The Central Plan Scheme of Area Intensive and Madarsa Modernization Programm provides basis educational infrastructure in areas of concentration of educationally backward minorities and resources for the modernization of Madarsa education. Keeping in view of importance of addressing this need, this programme will be substantially strengthened and implemented effectively.

(5) Scholarships for meritorious students from minority communities

Schemes for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for students from minority communities will be formulated and implemented.

(6) Improving educational infrastructure through the Maulana Azad Education Foundation.

The Government shall provide all possible assistance to Maulana Azad Educaion Foundation (MAEF) to strengthen and enable it to expand its activities more effectively.


(B) Equitable Share in Economic Activities and Employment

(7) Self-Employment and Wage Employment for the poor

1.The Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojna(SGSY), the primary self-employment programme for rural areas, has the objective fo bringing assisted poor rural families above the poverty line by providing them income generating assets through a mix of bank credit and Governmental subsidy. A certain percentage of the physical and financial targets under the SGSY will be earmarked for beneficiaries belonging to the minority communities living below the poverty line in rural areas.

2.The Swarnjayanti Shahary Rohgar Yojna(SSRY) consists of two major components namely, the Urban Self-Employment Programme (USEP) and the Urban Wage Employment Programme(UWEP). A certain percentage of the physical and financial targets under USEP and UWEP will be earmarked to benefit people below the poverty line from the minority communities.

3.The Sampurna Grameen Rozgar Yojna(SGRY) is aimed at providing additional wage employment in rural areas alongside the creation of durable community, social and economic infrastructure. Since the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programm(NREGP) has been launched in 200 districts, and SGRY has been merged with NREGP in these districts, in the remaining districts, a certain percentage of the allocation under SGRY will be earmarked for beneficiaries belonging to the minority communities living below the poverty line till these districts are taken up under NREGP. Simultaneously, a certain percentage of the allocation will be earmarked for the creation of infrastructure in such villages, which have a substantial population of minorities.

(8) Upgradation of skill through technical training

A very large proportion of the population of minority communities is engaged in low-level technical work or earns its living as handicraftsmen. Provision of technical training to such people would upgrade their skills and earning capability. Therefore, a certain proportion of all new ITIs will be located in areas predominantly inhabited by minority communities and a proportion of existing it is to be upgraded to ‘Centres of Excellence’ will be selected on the same basis.

(9) Enhanced credit support for economic activities

1.The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) was set up in 1994 with the objective of promoting economic development activities among the minority communities. The Government is committed to strengthen the NMDFC by providing it greater equity support to enable it to fully achieve its objective.

2.Bank credit is essential for creation and sustenance of self-employment initiative. A target of 40% of net bank credit for priority sector lending has been fixed for domestic banks. The priority sector includes, inter alia, agricultural loans, loan to small-scale industries & small business, loans to retail trade, professional and self-employed persons, education loans, housing loans and micro-credit. It will be ensured that an appropriate percentage of the priority sector lending in all categories is targeted for the minority communities.

(10) Recruitment to State and Central Services

1.In the recruitment of police personnel, State Governments will be advised to give special consideration to minorities. For this purpose, the composition of selection committees should be representative.

2.The Central Government will take similar action in the recruitment of personnel to the Central police forces.

3.Large scale employment opportunities are provided by the Railways, nationalized banks and public sector enterprises. In these cases also, the concerned departments will ensure that special consideration is given to recruitment from minority communities.

4.An exclusive scheme will be launched for candidates belonging to minority communities to provide coaching in Government institutions as well as private coaching institutes with credibility.


(C) Improving the conditions of living of minorities.

(11) Equitable share in rural housing scheme

The Indira Awaas Yojna(IAY) provides financial assistance for shelter to the rural poor living below the poverty line. A certain percentage of the physical and financial targets under IAY will be earmarked for poor beneficiaries from minority communities living in rural areas.

(12) Improvement in condition of slums inhabited by minority communities.

Under the schemes of Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme(IHSDP) and Jawaharlal Nahru Urban Renewal Mission(JNURM), the Central Government provides assistance to States/UTs for development of urban slums through provision of physical amenities and basic services. It would be ensured that the benefits of these programmes flow equitable to members of the minority communities and to cities/slums, predominantly inhabited by minority communities.


(D) Prevention & Control of Communal Riots

(13) Prevention of communal incidents

In the areas, which have been identified as communally sensitive and riot prone districts and police officials of the highest known efficiency, impartiality and secular record must be posted. In such areas and even elsewhere, the prevention of communal tension should be one of the primary duties of the district magistrate and superintendent of police. Their performance in this regard should be an important factor in determining their promotion prospects.

(14) Prosecution for communal offences

Severe action should be taken against all those who incite communal tension or take part in violence. Special court or courts specifically earmarked to try communal offences should be set up so that offenders are brought to book speedily.

(15) Rehabilitation of victims of communal riots.

Victims of communal riots should be given immediate relief and provided prompt and adequate financial assistance for their rehabilitation.

The Government of India, Ministry of Minority Affairs, vide Notification S.O. No.279(E) dated 3.3.2006 reconstituted the National Commission for Minorities. Accordingly, the Chairperson and Members assumed the charge of their respective offices. Present Shri Mohamed Shafi Qureshi, is the Chairperson of National Commission for Minorities.

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

The National Commission for Women was set up as statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 ( Act No. 20 of 1990 of Govt.of India ) to :

• review the Constitutional and Legal safeguards for women ;
• recommend remedial legislative measures ;
• facilitate redressal of grievances and
• advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.

In keeping with its mandate, the Commission initiated various steps to improve the status of women and worked for their economic empowerment during the year under report. The Commission completed its visits to all the States/UTs except Lakshdweep and prepared Gender Profiles to assess the status of women and their empowerment. It received a large number of complaints and acted suo-moto in several cases to provide speedy justice. It took up the issue of child marriage, sponsored legal awareness programmes, Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats and reviewed laws such as Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, PNDT Act 1994, Indian Penal Code 1860 and the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 to make them more stringent and effective. It organized workshops/consultations, constituted expert committees on economic empowerment of women, conducted workshops/seminars for gender awareness and took up publicity campaign against female foeticide, violence against women, etc. in order to generate awareness in the society against these social evils.

Breif history

The National Commission for Women was set up as statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 ( Act No. 20 of 1990 of Govt.of India) to review the Constitutional and legal safeguards for women; recommend remedial legislative measures, facilitate redressal of grievances and advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.

A BRIEF HISTORY:

The Committee on the Status of Women in India ( CSWI ) recommended nearly two decades ago, the setting up of a National Commission for women to fulfill the surveillance functions to facilitate redressal of grievances and to accelerate the socio-economic development of women.

• Successive Committees / Commissions / Plans including the National Perspective Plan for Women ( 1988-2000 ) recommended the constitution of an apex body for women.
• During 1990, the central government held consultations with NGOs, social workers and experts, regarding the structure, functions, powers etc.of the Commission proposed to be set up.
• In May 1990, the Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha.
• In July 1990, the HRD Ministry organized a National Level Conference to elicit suggestions regarding the Bill. In August 1990 the government moved several amendments and introduced new provisions to vest the commission with the power of a civil court.
• The Bill was passed and received accent of the President on 30th August 1990.
• The First Commission was constituted on 31st January 1992 with Mrs. Jayanti Patnaik as the Chairperson. The Second Commission was constituted on July 1995 with Dr. (Mrs.) Mohini Giri as the Chairperson. The Third Commission was constituted on January 1999 with Mrs. Vibha Parthasarathy as the Chairperson. The Fourth Commission was constituted on January 2002 and the government had nominated Dr. Poornima Advani as the Chairperson. The Fifth Commission has been constituted on February 2005 and the government has nominated Dr. Girija Vyas as the Chairperson.
  

• CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMISSION
  SECTION 3
  National Commission for Women Act, 1990
  (Act No. 20 of 1990 of Govt. of India)

• The Central Government shall constitute a body to be known as the National Commission for Women to exercise the powers conferred on and to perform the functions assigned to, it under this Act.

2. The Commission shall consist of :-

(a) A Chairperson, committed to the cause of women, to be nominated by the Central Government.

(b) five Members to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing who have had experience in law or legislation, trade unionism, management of an industry potential of women, women’s voluntary organisations ( including women activist ), administration, economic development, health, education or social welfare;
Provided that at least one Member each shall be from amongst persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively;

(c) a Member-Secretary to be nominated by the Central Government who shall be :-

i. an expert in the field of management, organisational structure or sociological movement, or

ii. an officer who is a member of a civil service of the Union or of an all-India service or holds a civil post under the Union with appropriate experience.

Problem of violence against women is multifaceted.
NCW has adopted a Multi-Pronged strategy to tackle the problem:

• Generation of legal awareness among women, thus equipping them with the knowledge of their legal rights and with a capacity to use these rights.
• Assisting women in redressal of their grievances through Prelitigation services.
• Facilitating speedy delivery of justice to women by organizing Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats in different parts of the country.
• Review of the existing provisions of the Constitution and other laws affecting women and recommending amendments thereto, any lacunae, inadequacies or short comings in such legislation's.
• Organizing promotional activities to mobilize women and get information about their status and recommend paradigm shift in the empowerment of women.
• Investigate and examine all matters relating to the safeguards provided for women under the Constitution and other laws;
• Review, from time to time, the exiting provisions of the Constitution and other laws affecting women;
• take up cases of violation of the provisions of the Constitution and of other laws;
• look into complaints and take suo moto notice of matters;
• deprivation of women's rights;
• special studies or investigations into specific problems or situations arising out of discrimination and atrocities against women;
• undertake promotional and educational research so as to suggest ways of ensuring due representation of women in all spheres and identify factors responsible for impeding their advancement;
• advice on the planning process of socio-economic development of women;
• evaluate the progress of the development of women under the Union and any State;
• inspect or cause to inspected a jail,remand home,women's institution or other place of custody where women are kept as prisoners or otherwise and take up with the concerned authorities for remedial action, if found necessary;
• fund litigation involving issues affecting a large body of women.

Chairpersons of the Commission since it's inception

S. No.	Name	From	To
1.	Ms. Jayanti Patnaik	03.02.1992	30.01.1995
2.	Dr. V. Mohini Giri	21.07.1995	20.07.1998
3.	Ms. Vibha Parthasarathi	18.01.1999	17.01.2002
4.	Dr. Poornima Advani	25.01.2002	24.01.2005
5.	Dr. Girija Vyas	16.02.2005 09.04.2008	15.02.2008 till date