Muslims lagging behind in most development indicators: panel

The Rajinder Sachar committee has said that Muslim community was "lagging behind" other religious groups in development indicators and has asked the Government to frame appropriate programmes to address its educational and economic backwardness.

The committee that presented its report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Friday, however, maintains silence over reservation for Muslims. The seven-member committee headed by Mr. Sachar, a former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court was set up to go into the social, economic and educational status of Muslims. The report will be tabled in Parliament for discussion.

Replying to queries from reporters on whether the committee had recommended reservation for Muslims, Justice Sachar said this was for the Government to decide.

The committee in its report said that the community was "relatively poor, more illiterate, has lower access to education, lower representation in public and private sector jobs and lower availability of bank credit for self-employment''. In urban areas, the community mostly lives in slums characterised by poor municipal infrastructure, it said adding that there was, however, considerable variation in the condition of the community across States and regions. The committee has stressed the need for formulation of appropriate programmes to address the educational and economic backwardness of the community.

Justice Sachar informed the Prime Minister that the Committee visited a number of States and met a wide spectrum of people, commissioned detailed surveys and research papers by experts, reviewed published research on the subject, collated available data and interacted with various departments and agencies of Central and State Governments to obtain relevant information to prepare its report. He said all members of the committee were unanimous on the findings and there were no dissenting voices.

The Prime Minister observed that he had acutely felt the lack of authentic, comprehensive and updated information about the social, economic and educational status of the Muslim community of India.

"Such data is necessary for planning, formulating and implementing specific programmes to address issues relating to the socio-economic backwardness of any disadvantaged group," a statement issued from the Prime Minister's Office said.

Dr. Singh stressed that one cannot wish away differences merely by refusing to measure them. Surveys of disadvantaged sections are necessary to understand the extent of deprivation and evolve focused interventions to ensure that development is equitable and inclusive.

Source: The Hindu More

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