National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI)

Why in News?

The Union Minister for Education recently addressed the 20th Foundation Day of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions in New Delhi.

• NCMEI – It is a Statutory Authority.
• Established in – 2004, by passing the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) Act, 2004.
• Aim – To safeguard the educational rights of the minorities enshrined in Article 30(1) of the Constitution.

Article 30(1) states that all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

• Minority – It is not defined in the Constitution.
• 6 religious minorities in India – Notified by the Central Government are:
  • Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Jain.
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Education.
• 3 Main roles – Adjudicatory, Advisory and Recommendatory.
• Powers – It is a quasi-judicial body endowed with the powers of a Civil Court for the purpose of discharging its functions under the Act:
• Decides all questions relating to the status of any institution as a Minority Educational Institution (MEI).
• Cancel the minority status of an educational institution granted by an Authority or Commission.
• Call for information while enquiring into the complaints of violation or deprivation of the educational rights of minorities.
• No court (except the Supreme Court and a High Court exercising jurisdiction under articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution) shall entertain any suit, application or other proceedings in respect of any order made by the Commission.
• No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Central Government, Commission, Members or other employee of the Commission for anything which is done in good faith under the NCMEI Act.
• Functions:
  • Grant a Minority Status Certificate (MSC).
  • Appeal against State authorities on being aggrieved by the order of rejection of No Objection Certificate (NOC) application by the State/UT or refusal to grant minority status certificate.
  • Resolving disputes regarding deprivation and violation of rights of minorities to establish and administer the institutions of their choice.

References

1. PIB| 20^th Foundation Day of NCMEI
2. NCMEI| National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions