Date:08/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/08/stories/2007070856020500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Implement Sachar report, says IUML

Special Correspondent

‘Government should adopt new approach to our welfare’

‘No steps taken in 10 months to implement it’ ’
‘Make Ranganatha Mishra Committee Report public’

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

PATH TO PROGRESS: Indian Union Muslim League president and former MP G.M. Banatwala addressing the Muslim convention on ‘Socio-economic, education and political rlight and remedies’ in Bangalore on Friday.

BANGALORE: The United Progressive Alliance Government should stop making “just assurances” and immediately implement the recommendations made by the Rajendra Sachar Committee recommendations for the welfare of Muslims, said Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) president G.M. Banatwala.

Speaking at the IUML convention on the socio-economic conditions of Muslims in India, he said the Government should make public the Justice Ranganatha Mishra Committee Report. He also wanted the Government to implement reservation for Muslims as recommended by the committee in keeping with the ratio of population.

While the Government had reacted positively to the Sachar Report, it had taken no measures in the last 10 months, said Mr. Banatwala.

“They are, in fact, trying to implement old schemes that have been tried and failed. That serves no purpose,” he said and appealed for a new approach to the welfare schemes for Muslims. B. Gopal of Bahujan Samaj Party, Ghulam Ghouse of Secular Front, G.M. Veerasingiah of Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha and Fatima Muzaffar of IMUL, Tamil Nadu, spoke.