Centre defends action on Sachar suggestions

Despite providing all basic amenities following the Sachar Committee recommendations, Muslims lag behind, reveals an affidavit filed by the ministry of minority affairs in the Delhi high court (HC).

The affidavit says, “The identification of minority concentration districts based on data revealed that 90 districts were lagging behind the national average parameters and needed urgent focused attention.

“The level of deprivation indicates that some districts
such as Purnia, Araria and Katihar in Bihar and Gumla and Pakur in Jharkhand have basic parameters ranging from 3.7% to 6.7% when the national average is 41.7%.”

Terming constitutional the steps taken by the government for uplift of economically weaker sections following the Sachar Committee recommendations, it states, “The Indian state is duty bound to foster inclusive growth. This is all that is intended to be done and no special favour is being bestowed on them [minority communities] that are lagging behind and without affirmative action the gap existing today cannot be bridged.”

The affidavit was filed in reply to a PIL by Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, which alleged that the Sachar Committee report and the government’s follow-up action were unconstitutional.