The Hindu : National : Text of Common Minimum Programme: full version

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 29, 2004

National

National

Text of Common Minimum Programme: full version

In the text of the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance that was published in these columns yesterday, in the section titled "Women and Children," a paragraph was missed inadvertently. The section is reproduced in full here:

Women and Children

The UPA Government will take the lead to introduce legislation for one-third reservation for women in Vidhan Sabhas and in the Lok Sabha. Legislation on domestic violence and against gender discrimination will be enacted.

The UPA Government will ensure that at least one-third of all funds flowing into panchayats will be earmarked for programmes for the development of women and children.

Village women and their associations will be encouraged to assume responsibility for all development schemes relating to drinking water, sanitation, primary education, health and nutrition.

Complete legal equality for women in all spheres will be made a practical reality, especially by removing discriminatory legislation and by enacting new legislation that gives women, for instance, equal rights of ownership of assets like houses and land.

The UPA Government will bring about a major expansion in schemes for micro-finance based on self-help groups, particularly in the backward and ecologically fragile areas of the country.

The UPA Government is committed to replicating all over the country the success that some southern and other States have had in family planning. A sharply targeted population control programme will be launched in the 150-odd high-fertility districts. The UPA Government recognises that States that achieve success in family planning cannot be penalised.

The UPA Government will protect the rights of children, strive for the elimination of child labour, ensure facilities for schooling and extend special care to the girl child.

* * *

Another five paragraphs that formed a section titled "Social Harmony, Welfare of Minorities" were also missed. This section came soon after the section titled "Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes" but just ahead of the passage that deals with the restructuring of the National Integration Council, which is reproduced here too.

Social Harmony, Welfare of Minorities

The UPA is committed to the implementation of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1992. On Ayodhya, it will await the verdict of the courts, while encouraging negotiations between parties to the dispute for an amicable settlement, which must, in turn, receive legal sanction.

The UPA Government will enact a model comprehensive law to deal with communal violence and encourage each State to adopt that law to generate faith and confidence in minority communities.

The UPA Government will amend the Constitution to establish a Commission for Minority Educational Institutions that will provide direct affiliation for minority professional institutions to central universities.

The UPA will promote modern and technical education among all minority communities. Social and economic empowerment of minorities through more systematic attention to education and employment will be a priority concern for the UPA.

The UPA will establish a National Commission to see how best the welfare of socially and economically backward sections among religious and linguistic minorities, including reservation in education and employment, is enhanced. The Commission will be given six months to submit its report.

Adequate funds will be provided to the National Minorities Development Corporation to ensure its effective functioning.

The UPA Government will examine the question of providing constitutional status to the Minorities Commission and will also strive for recognition and promotion of Urdu language under Article 345 and 347 of the Constitution.

The National Integration Council will be restructured and revived so as to fulfil its original objectives. It will meet at least twice a year.

On the websites, at www.hinduonnet.com and at www.hindugrouponnet.com the full version appears now.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National