Question : ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF SACHAR COMMISSION



(a) the positive action taken by the Government on the basis of the recommendations made by the Sachar Commission;

(b) whether the Government has assessed about its impact upon the minorities in the country; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI NINONG ERING)

(a): A High Level Committee, constituted under the Chairmanship of Justice (Retired) Rajinder Sachar to gather data/ information for preparation of a comprehensive report on the social, economic and educational status of the Muslim community of India submitted its report (popularly known as Sachar Committee Report) on 17th November, 2006. This report was tabled in both the Houses of Parliament on 30th November, 2006. The Government took several decisions on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee and a statement in this regard was laid in both Houses of Parliament on 31.8.2007. On the basis of the Sachar Committee Report, a total of 76 recommendations were listed and out of them, 72 recommendations were approved by the Government for implementation by different Ministries/Departments. The follow up action on the recommendations accepted by the Government have been grouped under the following major areas:-
I. Measures for affirmative action
II. Education
III. Skill Development
IV. Access to credit
V. Special development initiatives
VI. Wakfs
VII. Miscellaneous

The responsibility for implementation of these decisions has been given to the concerned Ministries/Departments.

(b) & (c): Impact assessment studies of the schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs were carried out through ICSSR at the end of 11th Five Year Plan and accordingly the MsDP and Scholarship schemes of the Ministry, which were formulated as a follow up action on the recommendation of Sachar Committee were also assessed for its impact. Further on the basis of the recommendations of the Sachar Committee, the Planning Commission has set up an Assessment and Monitoring Authority (AMA) to evaluate the development benefits which accrue to different Socio Religious Communities through various Programmes. AMA is an institutional mechanism for assessment and monitoring in order to suggest policy options on a timely basis.