Major recommendations
of the Report on ‘Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim
Community of India’, prepared under the Chairmanship of Justice Rajinder Sachar include the
following:
(i)
Access
of Education – Providing free and high quality education to children up to the
age of 14, opening government schools in Muslim concentration areas, awarding
scholarships, modernising Madarasas, etc.,
(ii)
Access
to Credit – Promoting and enhancing access to Muslims in Priority Sector
lending, open more branches in Muslim concentration areas, promote micro finance
among women, etc.
(iii)
Skill Development – Opening ITIs and Polytechnics to focus on high growth potential in
the Muslim concentration areas.
(iv)
Special Area Development Initiatives –
Villages/ towns/ habitations to be provided with basic amenities, good quality
government schools, health facilities, etc. for all poor including Muslims.
(v)
Wakf – better utilization of wakf
properties, etc.
(vi)
Measures for Affirmative Action – Setting up
of Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC), National Data Bank (NDB) and Assessment
and Monitory Authority (AMA).
Giving this information in written reply to a question in
the Lok Sabha today, Shri Vincent
H. Pala, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, said
that the recommendations are being implemented by concerned Ministries/ Departments
of the Government.
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KKP/sl