Chairperson for National Commission for Minorities nominated

Former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah was last week nominated as Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities.

The post for a chairperson was vacant since the retirement of Mohd Shafi Qureshi in September last year.

According to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Habibullah will hold office for a period of three years with effect from the date of assumption of office.

An ex-IAS officer, Habibullah earlier served the Government of India in various capacities.

Upon taking over as the new chairperson, Habibullah said his priority would be to ensure that there was no violation of constitutional rights granted to all citizens including minorities.

"The objective is that the constitution is respected by all. The constitution enjoins equal opportunities for all communities," Habibullah told IANS.

About the panel he heads, Habibullah said: "It has a certain degree of authority and has in the past successfully brought issues of importance to the government's attention."

NCM vice-chairman H T Sangliana expressed happiness over the new appointment and said "We hope to better our performance under the leadership of the new Chairperson."

The NCM was formed by the Indian government in 1978 to monitor and evaluate the progress of minorities.