44. Special Officer For Linguistic Minorities

Question 0

Explain the organisation of the office of Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities?

Answer 0

In pursuance of the provision of Article 350-B of the Constitution, the office of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities was crated in 1957.

He is designated as the COMMISSIONER FOR LINGUISTIC MINORITIES. The Commissioner has his headquarters at Allahabad (UP). He has three regional offices at Belgaum (Karnataka), Chennai (TN) and Kolkata (WB). Each is headed by an Asst. Commissioner.

The Commissioner at headquarters is assisted by Dy.Commissioner and an Asst.Commissioner. He maintains liaison with the state governments through nodal officers appointed by them.

At the central level, the Commissioner falls under the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Hence, he submits his annual reports to the President through the Union Minority Affairs Minister.

Question 1

How did the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities came about and what are its constitutional provisions?

Answer 1

Originally, the constitution of India did not make any provision with respect to the special officer for linguistic minorities.

In 1953-55, State Reorganisation Commission made recommendations in this regard.

Accordingly, the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 inserted a new Article 350-B in Part XVII of the constitution. This Article contains following provisions:

1. There should be Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities. He is to appointed by the president of India.
2. It would be the duty of the SOLM to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities under the constitution.

He would report to the president upon those matters at such intervals as the president may direct.

President should place all such reports before each House of Parliament and send to the governments of the states concerned.

It must be noted here that ate constitution does not specify the qualifications, tenure, salaries and allowances, service conditions and procedures for the removal of the special officer for linguistic minorities.

Question 2

What is the role of Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities?

Answer 2

The Commissioner takes up all the matters pertaining to the grievances arising out of the non-implementation of the Constitutional and Nationally agreed schemes for the safeguards provided to the linguistic minorities that come to its notice or are brought to its knowledge by the linguistic minority individuals, groups, associations,
or organisations at the highest political and administrative levels of the state governments and UT administrations and recommends remedial actions to be taken.

To promote and preserve linguistic minority groups, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has requested the State Governments / Union Territories to give wide publicity to the constitutional safeguards provided to linguistic minorities and to take necessary administrative measures.

The state governments and UT Administrations were urged to accord priority to the implementation of the scheme of safeguards for linguistic minorities.

The Commissioner launched a 10 point programme to lend fresh impetus to Governmental efforts towards the preservation of the language and culture of the linguistic minorities.

Question 3

What are the functions of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities?

Answer 3

1. To investigate all matters related to safeguards provided to the linguistic minorities.
2. To submit to the President of India, the reports on the status of implementation of the Constitutional and the nationally agreed safeguard for the LM.
3. To monitor the implementation of safeguards through questionnaires, visits, conferences, seminars, meetings, review mechanism, etc

Question 4

What are the objectives of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minority?

Answer 4

1. To provide equal opportunities to the linguistic minorities for inclusive development and national integration
2. To spread awareness amongst the linguistic minorities about the safeguards available to them

3.To ensure effective implementation of the safeguards provided for the linguistic minorities in the Constitution and other safeguards, which
are agreed by the state/UTs.

4.To handle the representations for redress of grievances related to the safeguards for linguistic minorities