The appointment of Emanaul Nahar on the post of chairman of Punjab State Commission for Minorities by governor VP Singh Badnore. From the date of joining, Nahar’s term as the commission’s chairman will last for three years. He will replace Munawar Masih as the minority commission head. Gurinderpal Singh Billa is the vice-chairman of Punjab State Backward Classes Commission.

Composition of Commission
Under Section 3(2) of the Punjab State Commission for Minorities Act, 2012, the Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, a Senior Vice-Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Ten non-official Members to be nominated by the State Government. 

The Commission shall, while carrying out its functions under the Act, have the powers of a civil court and in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:-

summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
requiring the discovery and production of any documents;
receiving evidence on affidavits;
requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any office of the Government;
issuing commissions for the examination of witness and documents; and
any other matter which may be prescribed.      

Functions
To examine the working of various safeguards provided in the Constitution of India or the laws enacted by the Parliament and the laws passed by the State Legislature for the protection of minority communities and to make recommendations to ensure their effective implementation;

To make recommendation with a view to ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of all the safeguards;
To monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the constitution, laws enacted by the Parliament or State Legislature and policies and schemes of the Government for Minorities;
To conduct studies, research and analysis on the questions of avoidance of discriminations against minorities;
To make assessment of the representation of minorities in the various services under the Government and the means to achieve the desired level;