KOHIMA, NOV 30 (DIPR): Members of the National Commission for Religions and Linguistics Minorities today held a meeting with administrative heads and heads of departments of Nagaland Government to elicit views on the terms of reference of the commission particularly on uplift of socio-economic conditions of socially and economically backward religious and linguistics minorities.
The members of the Commission, Asha Das and Dr. Anil Wilson held wide ranging discussion with officials on various issues relating to welfare of backward religions and minorities.
The five member commission headed by Justice Raganath Misra, former Chief Justice of India was constituted by the Centre to suggest criteria for identifying the socially and economically backward among minorities, recommend measures for their welfare including reservation in education and government employment and suggest necessary constitutional, legal and administrative modalities of their recommendations.
The two Commission members accompanied by Abdul Rashid, Deputy Secretary to the Commission, also held separate meetings with representatives of banks and social organisations.
During the meeting with State Government officials, Asha Das said the Commission is visiting various states and union territories for interaction with government, social organizations and academicians. The Commission will submit its report to the centre by March 2007.
During discussions, State Government officials led by state Chief Secretary, Lalhuma enlightened the members the Government’s efforts to uplift the backward sections in the state by way of reservation in Government jobs and educational institutes as well as offering special economic development packages for backward areas of the state.
Besides eliciting views on the terms of reference, the Commission is holding interactions on whether existing criteria for identifying backward classes is adequate and to what extent existing welfare measures have helped in bringing educational and economic development to religions and linguistics minorities and elevation of those below poverty line. It is also seeking suggestions on reservations for backward sections in educational institutes and Government employment.
