Date:05/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050555020600.htm

Other States - Puducherry

Quota sought

Special Correspondent

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry Maanila Muslim Munnetra Makkal Peravai has urged the government to provide 3.5 per cent internal reservation for the Muslims in the Union Territory.

In a release here, the Peravai said the resolution was adopted at a meeting of the office-bearers on Friday. It also called for implementation of the recommendations of the Sachar Committee.

Accusing the Puducherry government of adopting a step-motherly attitude to the Muslims, the Peravai said several concessions had been provided to the Muslims in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal as per the recommendations.

Muslims in the Union Territory had been neglected under the government’s schemes to provide loans for the minorities and the Backward Classes, another resolution said. Only 136 Muslim women were studying in colleges, it added.

Through another resolution, the Peravai said that lands belonging to the Wakf Board had been given on lease for low rent.