Sriprakash Jaiswal says Government committed to minority reservation

Kanpur, Dec 26 (ANI): Supporting the Central Government's decision to provide 4.5 percent reservation to backward minorities that will be carved out from the existing 27 percent quota reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC), Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal has said the government is committed to give due share to the minorities after considering the 2011 census figures.

Talking to reporters here, Jaiswal said: "Based on the outcome of 2011 census, our government is committed to provide reservation to minorities up to half the resultant percentage."

The Central government has decided to provide 4.5 percent sub-quota for backward class minorities within the existing 27 percent OBC reservation quota.

The Government of India on October 29, 2004 constituted the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, commonly known as the Ranganath Mishra Commission to look into the various issues related to Linguistic and Religious minorities in India.

The Mishra Commission report suggested to give15 percent jobs in government services and seats in the educational institutions to minorities, and sought about eight percent reservation out of the existing 27 percent quota for minorities.

In 2005, Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee that was constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recommended certain measures to improve the condition of the Muslim community.

Hailing the government's move, Jaiswal highlighted that the decision was taken on the basis of the 1931 census.

"Since we only have information based on the census of 1931; and we do not have any data available post that time period. So we took the decision based on the older data. Hence, until result of 2011 survey is awaited that includes religion and caste based census according to the provision passed by the Parliament earlier. When we get those figures, then the government would be in a position to allot reservation to half the resultant percentage," added Jaiswal. (ANI)