Govt spells out Action Plan On Sachar Recommendations

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) A day after the Union Cabinet approved the Sachar Committee report, the Government today spelt out its plan of action.

The High Level Committee was set up, under the chairmanship of Justice Rajindar Sachar, to prepare a report on the social, economic and educational status of the Muslim community with a view to getting authentic and reliable information on this subject.

Such information was necessary for evolving appropriate strategies for mainstreaming the Muslim community.

The Government today said targeted intervention was proposed for improvement of basic amenities and employment opportunities in 90 identified minority concentration districts which are backward in terms of various developmental parameters.

Also, steps will be taken to improve civic amenities and economic opportunities in 338 identified towns and cities with a substantial population of minorities, including Muslims.

An inter-ministerial task force is already working on this to recommend appropriate strategies in this regard.

Besdies, an inter-ministerial group will plan and monitor the implementation of a comprehensive programme for skill and entrepreneurship development among the Muslim community and for ensuring easy and smooth access to credit to the minorities, and Muslims in particular.

Clusters, having a substantial presence of the Muslim community, especially of those engaged in artisanal activities, will be given focused attention.

Public sector banks will open more branches in Muslim concentration areas, banks and financial institutions will promote micro-finance among the minorities, especially women, while public sector banks will monitor the disposal of loan applications for minorities and maintain reasons for rejection.

Moreover, RBI will maintain district-wise and bank-wise data on disposal of applications on its web site, and the flow of credit to the minorities, including Muslims, would be monitored regularly.

The data can be accessed under the Right to Information Act.

A multi-pronged strategy will be adopted for addressing the problem of educational backwardness of the Muslim community.

The outreach of upper primary schools will be expanded, particularly for Muslim girls, and where necessary, with 'girls only' schools, more Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) will be opened in areas with substantial Muslim population.

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