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 Indian
Government keen on Muslims welfare: Union Minister
Issued by MJ Khan, President - IMRC and Muslim
Economic Forum on 10 June 2009
The
Milli Gazette
Speaking at the felicitation function organised by
CMEII for Muslim Ministers and newly elected MPs at New Delhi on 9th June,
the Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Salman Khusheed said that he is
under the prime minister's instructions to take up programs directly and
through various economic ministries for speedy development of minorities,
particularly Muslims, who have been left out of the mainstream educational
and economic activities in the last 62 years.
He asked that when demand for reservation is raised, we must be clear on
what basis and under which provision the same can be done. He said Article
341 has its social and historical dimensions and in OBC reservation,
Muslims are included but, they have not been able to access opportunities.
He said the Prime Minster is keen for Muslims economic development and on
quite a few occasions, he has expressed that adequate resources need to
allocated for their speedy progress. Now it is for us, how effectively we
can translate good intentions of the Government into some concrete schemes
for us.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister, Dr. Faruq Abdullah said that we
have been talking about increasing our representation In Govt, but in
effect this is on constant decline since 1947. The figure of 31 out of 543
MPs in 15th Lok Sabha bears testimony. He emphasised the need to
collectively pursue the development agenda for Muslims and suggested to
form a monitoring mechanism to get us work and correct us, if we go wrong.
Mr. Sultan Ahmad, Union Minister of State spoke on the need for work in
rural areas. He said education holds the key to our development and we
must concentrate on the same. He said we need a national leader from our
community, under whose leadership, we could move for our struggle for
progress. Mr. Ahmad demanded tabling of Mishra Commission report.
Delivering his Presidential Speech, Mr. K Rehman Khan, Hon'ble Dy.
Chairman, Rajya Sabha said that let us not shy away that we are Muslims
Representatives in the Government and we have to talk about their agenda
and work for it. He said it is not the lack on the part of the Government
in appreciating the difficulties faced by Muslims, but our failure to
clearly work out our agenda, put up demands collectively and pursue
persistently to get them done. He said we need to understand our
priorities - education, reservation and empowerment.
Present on the occasion were Mr. Asad Owaisi, MP, Mr. A Rashid, MP, Mr.
Kadir Rana, MP, Mr. Ahmad Saeed, MP, Mr. B. Ajmal, MP, Mr. Zafar Ali Naqvi,
MP, Mr. Azeez Pasha, MP, Mr.D Raja, MP, Mr. Maulana Qasmi, MP, Dr. Ejaj
Ali, MP, Mr. Shariq, MP, Mr. M Adeeb and few other MPs, besides Mr. Shafi
Quraishi, Chairman, NCM, Mr. PA Inamdar, Chairman, Azam University and
others
Mr. Naqvi, Maulana Qasmi, Mr. Shariq, Mr. Ajmal and Mr. Rana also shared
their thoughts.
Earlier making background presentation, MJ Khan, President, National
Economic Forum for Muslims said that the world order is changing and the
community need to access quality education for mainstreaming role, growth
and a place in the society. He emphasised that youths are looking forward
to playing mainstream role in the social and economic development of the
nation. They need enabling environment and level playing field. He spelt
out Six point demand for the consideration of the Government:
Six Point Agenda
1. Govt. support in education, skills development, equal opportunities and
fair share in national resources.
2. Community needs the Instrument of Reservation. Mishra Commission Report
to be Tabled in House.
3. Equal Opportunity Commission to be set up.
4. The reports of all Commissions and Committees to be tabled and ATR
presented within 3 months.
5. Muslims sensitivities to be respected.
6. Audit of Ministries and States on “Minorities Confidence Level” and to
release Annual Survey Report.
Based on that four specific demands were spelt out by MJ Khan,
while concluding his presentation. The program was ably conducted by Mr.
Kamal Farooqui.
1. The discrimination meted out to Muslims under article 341 through the
Presidential Order 1950, must be revoked and Muslim SC/SC castes must be
entitled to the same benefits, as other SC/ST
2. Muslims need the instrument of reservation. The OBC quota may be
tri-furcated among Advanced OBCs, MBCs and Muslims for a just and fair
share to all the three sub-groups
3. 15% share in all educational institutions, Govt or private, and in all
Govt. and PSUs schemes, allocations, dealerships etc., as suggested by
Mishra Commission. A Monitoring Officer in each Ministry.
4. Support in skills up-gradation and certification through launch of a
major program up to block levels by the Union Ministry of Labour and
Employment with allocations of Rs. 3500 crores annually
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