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Milli Council seeks special steps for Rajasthan Muslims

Special Correspondent

Call to implement recommendations of Sachar Committee

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan unit of the All-India Milli Council on Saturday demanded some special measures for the Muslim community in the State Budget to be presented in the Assembly on Wednesday to act on the Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee’s recommendations pertaining to both policy formulation and implementation.

Milli Council State general secretary Abdul Qayoom Akhtar, flanked by other leaders, told mediapersons here that Muslims expected some major budgetary announcements for them in spheres such as madrasa education, waqf properties, bank loans, artisanship, development of minority-dominated areas, finance and economy.

Major role

“Muslims in Rajasthan voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Congress in the recent Lok Sabha elections and had a major role in sending 20 MPs from the State to New Delhi. They have a legitimate aspiration to join the mainstream of development in the wake of their abysmal poverty and backwardness [as] confirmed by the Sachar Committee,” said Mr. Akhtar.

The Milli Council expressed the hope that the Congress-led government in the State now would take an initiative to implement the Sachar Committee’s recommendations through budget allocations. It identified Muslims’ economic backwardness as the principal factor responsible for their pathetic condition in other areas.

Township suggested

The Milli Council leaders called upon Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who also holds the Finance portfolio, to announce establishment of a township for artisans with facilities for training, finance, manufacturing and marketing.

“About 40 per cent of the Muslim population in the State comprises artisans and 28 per cent unorganised labourers.

“They will benefit immensely from such a project,” said Mr. Akhtar.

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