Spend 15 per cent of Union budget on minorities:CPI(M)

New Delhi, Dec 1 (UNI) Stating that the Sachar Committee Report had ''eloquently'' placed before the nation the ''horrible condition of Muslims in the country'', the CPI(M) today made a strong case for allocating 15 per cent of the Union Budget on amelioration of the state of the minorities.

''The Planning Commission will have to come out wth a sub-plan for their upliftment as has been the case with the North East and the tribals,'' CPI(M) parliamentary group leader Sitaram Yechuri said.

He stressed that after the Report had been made public, it was the duty of the political parties to ensure that the condition of the minorities, in particular of the Muslims, improves.

Mr Yechuri, flanked by senior party leaders Basudeb Acharia and Salim Mohammad, said the Left Democratic Front government in West Bengal had also prepared a sub-plan to remove the minorities' social, educational and economic backwardness.

He said he was greatly disturbed by the Report's findings which showed that the access of Muslims to jobs and education was worse than the dalits.

He also made a strong case for integrating the Madrasas traditions and and modern education.

On the deferment of the Pension Bill in the cabinet meeting, the CPI(M) leaders said it was good. ''The bill needs further discussion. But we are firm on our stand on two counts -- one that private players can not be allowed to operate the Pension Fund and the pansion amount should not be less than 50 per cent of the average of the last three years salary.'' On the ''vandalism'' by the Trinamool Congress MLAs in West Bengnal Assembly over the Singur issue, they said it was ''anti-democratic and condemnable''.

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