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| Centre to set up panel to ensure rights to minorities |
| Press Trust of India / New Delhi Aug 27, 2009, 12:37 IST |
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In a move to protect interests of minorities, the Centre has decided to set up an 'equal opportunities commission' to address any discrimination faced by them and remove shortcomings.
"People who face difficulties in their business or in getting access to education, employment or housing can approach the commission," Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said, adding, "A draft Bill for setting up the commission will be brought in the next session of Parliament."
The minister also assured a delegation of All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) led by Subhashini Ali that the government is pursuing all issues as recommended in the Sachchar Committee Report for betterment of Muslim women.
"Our ministry is committed to spend 50 per cent of the total funds earmarked for the minorities for the well-being of minority women," Khurshid said.
The AIDA delegation presented a charter of demands to the minister signed by more than 75,000 women.
Khurshid said almost all issues raised in the charter of demands are high on the agenda of the government. This includes the Women's Reservation Bill, he said.
AIDA wants recognition and support to Muslim educational institutes and better facilities for girls of the community and setting up of more ITIs in Muslim-concentrated areas.
Other main demands of AIDA are more healthcare centres in minority areas, providing 15 per cent of bank loans to Muslims in priority sectors, passage of the women's Bill, justice to the Gujarat riot victims and to implement recommendations of the Srikrishna Commission on communal violence.
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