Date:13/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/13/stories/2005111310840100.htm

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Panel on Muslims finishes fact-finding work

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Prime Minister's High Level Committee for preparation of a report on social, economic and educational status of Muslim community of India held discussions with Revenue Minister K. M. Mani, Finance Minister Vakkom Purushothaman and Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed here on Saturday.

The discussions centred mainly on the Narendran Commission report and its implications for the Muslim community. The Ministers informed the Committee that the Government was trying to arrive at a consensus on the recommendations of the Commission.

The Committee, with Justice Rajindar Sachar as chairman and Saiyid Hamid and T. K. Oommen as members, was here on a fact-finding mission. It could not meet Chief Minister Oommen Chandy as he was on a campaign tour in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency.

The Committee received memoranda and representations from Muslim associations in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. It will return to Delhi on Sunday on completion of its work here.

Education status

The Committee is examining, among other things, whether the Muslim community has adequate access to education, employment, health services, municipal infrastructure, bank credit and other services provided by the Government and public sector entities.

Their socio-economic status will be compared with other communities in the State as well as the population in other States. It will identify areas for intervention by the Government to address relevant issues.