|
Muslims to get more Government jobs |
 |
In a move linked by observers with chances of a snap Lok Sabha poll, the Government has announced several steps to improve the lot of the Muslims, the largest minority in the country. In a 15-point Action Taken report on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee tabled in the Lok Sabha on August 31, the Centre said that guidelines have already been issued to improve the share of the Muslim community in government jobs.
The government announced that it has set up a high-level committee to review the Delimitation Act to remove the apprehen¬sions expressed by the Sachar panel regarding anomalies in the representation of Muslims in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Union minister for Minority Affairs AR Antulay said the govern¬ment has decided in principle to set up an Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) to look into grievances regarding discrimina¬tion. An expert group will study and recommend its structure and functions, the minister added.
The Action Taken Report on the Sachar recommendations, which the government considers “historic”, stated that the government is targeting improving employment opportunities and basic ameni¬ties in 90 identified minority concentration districts which are backward in terms of development parameters. Further measures would also be taken to improve the deficiency in civic amenities and economic opportunities in 338 identified towns and cities with a substantial population of minorities.
The Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to address the problems of educational backwardness of the Muslim community. The schemes include three scholarships exclusively for minorities covering 20,000 students, mainly for pursuing techni¬cal and professional courses, special literacy drive in districts with a substantial population of Muslims, opening of women’s hostels in schools and universities, modernisation of madarsas, and extension of mid-day meal scheme to educationally backward blocks.
In addition, the Government would sensitise all personnel including government employees, teachers and health personnel on the importance of diversity and social inclusion.
The Sachar Committee, constituted on March 9, 2005, to look into social, economic and educational status of Muslims, submitted its report in November last year, advocating improve¬ment of Muslims’ share in government jobs.
While the BJP has accused the Government of indulging in what it called “minority appeasement” to garner votes of the Muslim community, the CPI(M) said that the follow-up action taken report on the Sachar Committee amounts to just `tokenism.’ Asked whether the CPI(M) was satisfied with the ATR, party leader Mohd. Salim said, “We cannot be happy with tokenism.” The party, he said, would continue to pursue implementation of the Sachar Committee report.
BJP spokesman V.K. Malhotra dismissed the Sachar panel as a move to check Muslim voters from moving away from the UPA. He said the appeasement of Muslims by the Manmohan Singh Government has crossed all limits.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said the Sachar panel exercise has vital importance for the Govern¬ment. He said there would be a discussion in both Houses of Par¬liament on the issue on Sept. 5 and 6.
|
