Imphal, October 06: Acknowledging outcry of the Muslim community (Meitei Pangal) the manipur State Minorities Commission has prevailed upon the manipur State Commission for Other Backward Classes authorities to recommend special consideration (quota) to Meitei Pangal candidates during job recruitment of the State Govt as well as in pursuing education.

Commission Chairman A Helim Choudhary during a media briefing at the secretariat building today said that State OBC panel Chairman Judge (retired) H Kaminikumar had been detailed to initiate necessary measures for alleviating socio-educational conditions of the Meitei Pangal by ensuring job quota and in issues concerning education of the Muslim students.

He also informed of urging the Chief Secretary to intervene in deferring the forthcoming MPSC conducted Manipur Civil Services Combined Examination till submission of report/recommendation of the OBC panel and expressed confidence that the report would ensure adequate provision to the satisfaction of the OBCs.

Quoting Constitutional provisions, he asserted that the State Govt being apprised on necessity for framing �Reservation Policy for Muslims of Manipur/Meitei pangal (OBC)� as had been floated in States like Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra that facilitates accommodation of minority group candidates in Govt job and special consideration to pursue medical, technical and other professional courses.

Since inception of the State Minorities Commission several recommendations regarding welfare schemes for the minorities had been forwarded to the Govt with the latter also responding positively on numerous occasion, he contended.

For smooth implementation of the 15 point programme launched by the prime Minister in 1983 with a mission of improving the socio-economic conditions of the minorities respective State had formed monitoring committees comprising of CM, Chief Secretary and down to the district level, Choudhary mentioned.

He further disclosed that the Commission is intensely pursuing with relevant authorities for inclusion of member/s from the minorities section in selection boards/committees with similar provisions in governing bodies of DRDA.

These bodies are concerned during appointments of group C and D posts of the State Government.

He also disclosed of the Commission�s proposal for establishing Minorities Development and Finance Corporation to accelerate financial positions of the minority groups with the Corporation entitled to receive fund assistance of 85 % from the National Commission for Minorities, 10 percent to be borne by the State and the beneficiaries liable to chip in with the remaining percentage.

Regarding other welfare schemes visualised by the Commission he listed construction of hostels exclusively for female members of the minority groups, community halls, stipends to students and financial assistance to orphans.

Helim also cited Department of MOBC extending training/coaching facilities to candidates appearing in professional course examinations as an outcome of the Commission�s endeavour.

Contending that Govt had been urged to ensure protection of minority Meitei Christian from discrimination perpetrated by other community, he also desired reliving Muslim employees half an hour early during Ramjan observation.

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