Centre flayed for keeping Rangathan's report in cold storage

Patna, Mar 31 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today lambasted the Centre for its failure to allow debate and initiate subesequent action on the report of Rangathan Commission, constituted to suggest ways for the uplift of the welfare of the minorities.

Replying to the non-official resolution brought by Opposition leaders in the state legislative council Gulam Gaus on earmarking of five per cent reservation for the bakward Muslims from that of 16 per cent allocated for the backward classes in government services, Mr Kumar said that the Centre was only interested in constituting various committees but their recommendations were never taken seriously, defeating the very purpose of the such committees.

Referring to the report of the Rangathan Commission, he said that it had not seen light of the day, despite lapse of several years after it was submitted to the Centre.

Taking cue from the statement of Mr Gaus that the Andhra Pradesh government had taken favourable report from the commission constituted for the welfare of the Muslims to ensure their reservation in the state government services, Mr Kumar categorically said NDA government never believed in such things and it could not be a role model for his government in Bihar.

''The commission constituted for the specific purpose should have full freedom to function acording to its terms of references and the concerned government has no business to influence the report of such committees,'' he maintained.

Mr Kumar said the suggestion of Mr Gaus made in the house through non-official resolutions about earmarking of five per cent reservation for backward muslims from the 16 per cent quota of the backward classes, was against the interests of the muslim community.

''As per the existing provision, the backward muslims can avail full quota of 16 per cent of the posts reserved for backward classes in government services, if they qualify,'' he said, adding that acceptance of the resolution would confine the backward muslims to five per cent only. Later however, Mr Gaus withdrew his non-official resolution.

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