Kolkata, 14 June (H.S.) -

The West Bengal government is set to expand the structure of the State Minority Commission by creating additional posts to accommodate the growing scope of its responsibilities. A senior government official confirmed that for the first time, the commission will have provision for two vice-chairpersons, instead of just one.

Until now, the commission functioned with a single vice-chairperson alongside other members. However, the government believes that the increased volume of work and broader community representation now necessitate an expansion. The new structure will include nine members, one chairperson, and two vice-chairpersons, the official said.

The commission represents six officially recognized religious minority communities in the state—Muslims, Christians, Parsis, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs. The official emphasized that this move aligns with constitutional values of inclusivity and equality, and is not linked to any particular religion or sectarian interest.

The official also clarified that while the chairperson of the commission receives a fixed remuneration, the vice-chairpersons are not salaried positions. They are currently offered an honorarium of ₹1,000 per meeting attended.

This structural amendment comes at a time when questions are being raised by various quarters about the effectiveness and inclusiveness of the commission. By expanding its leadership, the state government aims to improve representation and ensure more efficient handling of minority-related issues.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh