NCM grappling with funds crunch

The National Commission for Minorities is grappling with funds crunch and shortage of staff, which have hampered its welfare projects for various communities.
NCM Chairperson Wajahat Habibullah said the Commission was facing shortage of funds, due to which it is unable to organise seminars and conferences to increase awareness about minority communities and perform other tasks to protect their rights.
He said, as per the law, the Commission should receive government grant regularly, and when required, but this was not the case.
The budget for the Commission is decided once in a year and it has to work according to that, he said.

According to the National Minority Commission Act, 1992, the Commission should have a legal and a financial cell, which it does not have, leading to problem in handling the funds, he said.
The Commission is also unable to provide proper legal help to those seeking it, he said.

Habibullah said he has written to the government in this regard.
He said government lawyer is available only for two days in the Commission for those seeking legal help.
The Commission is also facing staff crunch since several days, he said.
A Bill to award constitutional status to the Commission has been pending since several years, he said, adding that, there is a need to list out the legal rights of the Commission so that it can work more effectively.