Equal Opportunity Commission likely to be set up

The government is mulling setting up the Equal Opportunity Commission as recommended by the Sachar Committee in its report on social, economic and educational status of Muslims, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

The committee had recommended setting up of such a commission to look into the grievances of the deprived groups, Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said during Question Hour.

He said as per a recent decision taken by his ministry, MPs and MLAs could attend meetings of the 15-point committee for the welfare of minorities.

Khurshid said the government has identified 90 minority concentration districts (MCDs) on the basis of substantial minority population and relative backwardness based on data of 2001 census.

He said the recommendations of the Ranganath Misra Commission were under consideration. The commission had recommended 15 per cent reservation for Muslims in education and employment and also suggested inclusion of Muslim and Christian Dalits in SC List.