Mumbai: 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 here
last night.
Several Muslim organisations and leaders, during their
interaction with the senior Congress leader, demanded measures
to protect Waqf 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 Waqf 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.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 23:41