Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Equal rights comm for minorities to be set up: Govt

11 Aug : The Centre has proposed setting up of an 'equal rights commission' with the objective of bringing minorities into the national mainstream, Union Minister Salman Khursheed has said.

"I am very hopeful that equal rights commission bill will be passed in next session of Parliament," the minister for minority and corporate affairs said at a function in Mumbai on Monday night.

Several Muslim organisations and leaders, during their interaction with the senior Congress leader, demanded measures to protect Wakf properties, reservation for Muslims in government jobs and development of minority-run educational institutions.

Schemes for minorities announced by states and the Centre would be reviewed and workshops at district level would be organised across the country, Khursheed said.

Maharashtra Minority Development Minister Anees Ahmed said the Centre should take measures to save Wakf properties.

Minorities have great expectations from the ministry after Sachar Committee report highlighted social, economic and educational backwardness of Muslims, he said.

The ministry was formed by the UPA government in 2006. A R Antulay, who held the charge before Khursheed, was present.

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By :  News Team

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