Govt sets up two experts groups on minorities

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) As a follow up to the Sachar Committee Report, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has constituted two expert groups--one relating to preparation of a diversity index, and the other, constitution of an Equal Opportunity Commission.

One group would recommend an appropriate diversity index to promote diversity in living, educational and work spaces, and the other would examine and determine the structure and functions of an Equal Opportunity Commission for the minority communities.

The first Expert Group will have Prof Amitabh Kundu as Chairman and Prof Sugata Marjit, Prof Mohammad Abdul Kalam, Dr Ashwini Deshpande and Dr Hasib Drabu as members.

The terms of reference of this Expert Group would be to develop and devise a transparent and acceptable index to measure diversity in the areas of education, government and private employment and housing.

It would also suggest an appropriate structure of incentives and disincentives; to suggest a suitable mechanism for operationalising the diversity index and monitoring its implementation and to make any other recommendations relevant to the above.

The second expert group will examine and determine the structure and functions of an Equal Opportunity Commission, will have Prof (Dr) N R Madhava Menon as Chairman and Prof Javeed Alam, Prof Satish Deshpande, Prof Yogendra Yadav and Prof. Gopal Guru as members.

The terms of reference of the expert groups will be to recommend the structure, scope and functions of the proposed Equal Opportunity Commission; to advise on an appropriate legislative framework for such Commission and to make any other recommendations relevant to the above.

The expert groups will submit their reports within a period of three months.

UNI