(1) The Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a body to be known as the Punjab State Commission for Minorities to exercise the powers conferred on, and to perform the functions assigned to it, under this Act.
(2) The Commission shall consist of, -
(a) a Chairperson, a person of eminence and who has done outstanding work regarding safeguarding the interests of the minority communities, to be appointed by the Government;
2[(aa) 3[a Senior Vice-Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson], a person of eminence and who has done outstanding work regarding safeguarding the interests of the minority communities, to be appointed by the Government.]
(b) 4 [ten] non-official Members to be nominated by the Government from amongst the persons of eminence, ability and integrity:
Provided that the number of the Members may vary due to increase or decrease in population of the minority communities:
Provided further that all the Members including the Chairperson shall be from amongst the members of the Minorities; and
(c) Secretary, who shall be appointed by the Government under section 8.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Commission constituted by the Government vide Notification No.
1/6/2008/MC/116, dated 21.01.2010, shall be deemed to have been validly constituted under this section and shall continue to remain so till a new Commission is constituted under the said provision of this Act.
4. The Headquarters of the Commission shall be located at Ajitgarh (Mohali).
5. 5[(1) (a) The Chairperson shall hold office for a term of three years from the date he assumes office and shall be eligible for re-appointment up to two terms of the same duration or until he attains the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.
(b) The Senior Vice-Chairperson, the Vice- Chairperson and every Member shall hold office for a term of three years from the date he assumes office and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term of the said duration or until he attains the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.]
1 Substituted by Punjab Act No. 37 of 2016, Section 2 2 Inserted by Punjab Act No. 24 of 2016, Section 3 3 Substituted for words “a Vice-Chairperson” by Punjab Act No. 37 of 2016, Section 3 4 Substituted for word “five” by Punjab Act No. 24 of 2016, Section 3 5 Substituted by Punjab Act No. 48 of 2016, Section 2 Constitution of the Commission.
Headquarters of the Commission.
Term of office of Chairperson, Senior Vice- Chairperson, Vice- Chairperson and Members.
(2) Whenever a vacancy occurs by removal of the 1[Chairperson or the Senior Vice-Chairperson or the Vice-Chairperson] or the Member, as the case may be, such a vacancy shall be filled up by the Government by nomination and such a person appointed shall remain in office for the remainder of his predecessor’s term of office.