Quota for Muslims triggers storm

April 25, 2014

New Delhi, Apr 25: A Congress promise of reservation for backward Muslims on Friday kicked up a row with BJP calling it a “last desperate” act on its part to get some votes, a charge rejected outright by Congress which said it has not come out with any supplementary manifesto.Kapil_Sibal

“Congress has not come out with any sub-manifesto,” party spokesperson and Law Minister Kapil Sibal said on Friday maintaining that the issue of sub-quota for backward Muslims is pending in the Supreme Court and as long as the matter is not resolved there the party cannot do anything.

“These are only suggestions made in the process of public consultation. We have put it before people. When Congress comes to power, we will take it forward. These are suggested policies and programmes, which have come up at the open manifesto consultation process. These are suggestions for consideration, when the government comes to power. When we are open to it, we have a right to consider it as and when the Supreme court decides it. This is the best possible way. There is nothing wrong with that. There is no appeasement. We must respect the sentiments of the public,” Mr. Sibal said.

He was asked about reports that the Congress has put on its website a sub-manifesto in a fresh minority pitch promising quota reservation in jobs for backward Muslims.

When told that that these are not mere suggestions as Congress had announced a minority sub-quota before the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh as well, the Union Minister said, “Yes, we had announced it even in UP but the matter is pending in the Supreme Court. How can we do it unless the Supreme Court decides it.”

He added that in some states like Andhra Pradesh reservation has been made for backward minorities. The matter is now pending with the Supreme Court.

The BJP accused the Congress of releasing an additional manifesto promising reservation for backward Muslims, saying it is their “last desperate” act to get some votes and people will not believe in a “supplementary manifesto of a losing party”.

“Losers may promise the moon tomorrow. But the people have suffered under their 10 years rule. So nobody is willing to discuss it also,” BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar told reporters.

Congress had put out these suggestions under the caption “Suggested Policies and Programmes for Consideration of Congress Government (2014-2019): Empowerment of Minorities” almost two weeks ago.

Under the sub title “The Detailed Action Plan 2014-2019”, the party said that the Congress-led IPA government has taken steps to address the conditions of backward minorities by providing for reservation in education and institutions and in government employment.

“We will pursue this closely in the Supreme Court and ensure that the policy is implemented through proper legislation,” it said.

It also listed “extension of Scheduled Caste status to all Dalit Minorities” as among the expectations expressed by some groups, which will continue to guide Congress’ efforts toward their development.

Besides, it noted that earmarking of 4.5 per cent reservation for backward Muslims in the existing OBC quota as also among one of the expectations of people from Congress.

The party suggested formation of a committee to enquire into the socio-economic status of Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Muslims to ensure “equitable access to government benefits”.

Under its Open Manifesto Process, Congress consulted with all stakeholders and incorporated some of their suggestions on various issues in the Suggested Policies and Programmes for Consideration of Congress Government (2014-2019).

The suggested policies and programmes have now been added to the Manifesto section on the party website, Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala had said a fortnight back.

In the section, the party said, it was “committed to finding a way forward towards all such expectations of these groups by putting in concerted efforts” like earmark reservation of 4.5 percent to backward Muslims in the existing OBC’s reservations and extension of SC status to all Dalit minorities.

The other such expectations to which it showed its commitment include setting up of an Empower Equal Opportunity Commission to check discrimination against Minorities in employment and education.

In its Plan of Action, it said, “The Communal Violence Bill, which was drafted and introduced by Congress will be passed as a matter of priority.”

Claiming that much work has been done to implement the recommendations of the Sachar Committee, the Congress said it will work tirelessly to ensure that every single suggestion is reviewed and efforts are made for its implementation.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
Agencies
March 22,2020

New Delhi, Mar 22: The total number of novel coronavirus cases in India rose to 341 on Sunday after fresh cases were reported from various parts of the country, the Union Health Ministry said.

The total includes 41 foreign nationals and five deaths, the latest being reported from Maharashtra, taking the death toll in the state to two.

Delhi, Karnataka and Punjab have reported one death each so far. Twenty-four others have been cured/discharged/migrated.

The figure of 341 cases include 63 cases in Maharashtra, which has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases, including three foreigners.

Kerala has reported 52 cases, including seven foreign nationals.

Delhi has reported 27 positive cases, including a foreigner, while Uttar Pradesh has recorded 25 cases, including a foreigner.

Telangana has reported 21 cases, including 11 foreigners. Rajasthan has reported 24 cases, including two foreigners.

In Haryana, there are 17 cases, which include 14 foreigners.

Karnataka has 20 coronavirus patients. Punjab and Ladakh have 13 cases each. Gujarat has 14 cases while Tamil Nadu has 6 cases, which includes 2 foreigners. Chandigarh has five cases.

Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and West Bengal reported four cases each. Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand have reported three cases each. Odisha and Himachal Pradesh reported 2 cases each.

Puducherry and Chhattisgarh have reported one case each.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
March 6,2020

New Delhi, Mar 6: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday will move the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha.

In December last year, the Union Cabinet had approved a proposal to promulgate an ordinance to amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016.

The amendments will remove certain ambiguities in the IBC 2016 and ensure smooth implementation of the code, an official statement said.

The move is aimed at easing the insolvency resolution process and promoting the ease of doing business. Aimed at streamlining of the insolvency resolution process, the amendments seek to protect last-mile funding and boost investment in financially-distressed sectors.

Under the amendments, the liability of a corporate debtor for an offence committed before the corporate insolvency resolution process will cease.

The debtor will not be prosecuted for an offence from the date the resolution plan has been approved by the adjudicating authority if a resolution plan results in change in the management or control of the corporate debtor to a person who was not a promoter or in the management or control of the corporate debtor or a related party of such a person.

The amendments are aimed at providing more protection to bidders participating in the recovery proceedings and in turn boosting investor confidence in the country's financial system.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
June 20,2020

New Delhi, Jun 20: The government-imposed upper and lower limits on airfares may be extended beyond August 24 depending upon how the situation turns out, Aviation Secretary P S Kharola said on Saturday.

The government resumed domestic passenger flights from May 25 after nearly two months of suspension to combat the coronavirus outbreak, but placed lower and upper limits on airfares depending upon the flight duration.

It had said on May 21 that these limits would be in place for a period of three months.

"Depending on how the situation turns out, the fare band may have to adjusted beyond that (August 24) also. But right now, it is only for three months," Kharola said at a press conference here.

International passenger flights continue to remain suspended in the country.

However, the government started Vande Bharat Mission on May 6 to help stranded people reach their destinations through special flights.

Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said at the conference that during phase 3 and phase 4 of the mission, private domestic airlines have been approved to operate 750 international flights to repatriate people stranded amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.