Advertisement

NEW DELHI : The Centre on Thursday announced that the Sachar Committee report on the status of Muslims would be implemented ``in toto'' in 2007.

``We will not only implement the recommendations of the committee, but its observations as well,'' said Minority Affairs Minister A. R. Antulay at an international conference of Dalits and Muslims, organised by Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan.

Mr. Antulay said the Government was considering changes in the relevant laws to ensure that the Wakf Boards were monitored.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil assured the gathering that victims of communal riots and families of those killed in such incidents would get immediate compensation under a law awaiting Parliamentary approval.

Harsher punishment

The Government proposed to double the punishment to those indulging in communal disturbances. Central and State officials found wanting in the discharge of their duties in such situations would also suffer the consequences, he said.

Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal wanted Dalits and minorities to pay more attention to the education of their wards.

He appealed to the wealthy among the two communities to help in payment of salaries to teachers of primary schools.

Veteran socialist leader Chandrajit Yadav felt that the present Government was well placed to ensure social justice, as many alliance partners were fully committed to the concept.

Mr. Paswan presided over the conference, which was also addressed, among others, by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K. Rehman Khan, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Minister of State for Railways R. Velu and Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athavale.

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