The Hindu : Front Page : Cabinet nod for Commission for backward sections among minorities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 30, 2004

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Cabinet nod for Commission for backward sections among minorities

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 29. The Union Cabinet today approved the constitution of a National Commission for the welfare of the socially and economically backward sections among the religious and linguistic minorities, according to Jaipal Reddy, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, presided.

Today's decision is seen as Part II of the policy blitzkrieg; the first part was announced on September 17, as part of Dr. Singh's strategy to impart a new policy impetus to his Government. The next round is expected to be decided upon at a Cabinet meeting on October 5.

With today's decision, the United Progressive Alliance Government is seen as having begun the process of implementing a promise made in the National Common Minimum Programme. The section on "Social Harmony, Welfare of Minorities" in the NCMP held out a promise to "establish a National Commission to see how best the welfare of socially and economically backward sections among the religious and linguistic minorities, including reservation in education and employment, is enhanced."

Briefing the media after the meeting, Mr. Reddy said the Commission would have a three-fold mandate. First, to suggest the criteria for identification of the socially, economically backward sections among the religious and linguistic minorities. Second, it will recommend measures for the welfare of such identified backward sections, including reservation in education and government employment. Third, it will suggest the necessary constitutional, legal, and administrative modalities required to implement the recommendations.

Mr. Reddy said the Commission was expected to give its report by March 31, 2005. The names of the chairperson and the members would be announced later.

The Commission is intended to expand qualitatively the reservation regime. Any expansion of the reservation regime has to factor in two constitutional stipulations. First, a fundamental right, granted under Article 15 (1), gives a right to equality to all citizens and protects them against any discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth; second, Article 15(4) and Article 16(4), which talk of the principle of "special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens."

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