News letter of October, 2001

Sri Bimal Jalan, Governor, RBI meets the Commission on 12.09.2001

Sri Bimal Jalan, Governor, Reserve Bank of India was invited to meet the Commission on 12.09.2001 to discuss the credit flow to minority communities from the Public Sector Banks. The Commission stressed the need for RBI to reiterate/review its instructions on the credit flow to minorities, as there was a considerable lack of awareness among the minorities about available schemes and the facilities provided by the Public Sector Banks. Further, there was a lack of implementation of the RBI's instructions in letter and spirit. The RBI was urged to evolve a more workable system so that the Commission gets a regular feed back.

RBI Governor opined that the Banks need to adopt proactive role to improve the credit flow situation. He felt that this was possible with better motivation, strong supervision and regulatory measures. He mentioned that self help group and NGOs amongst minority communities could play an important role in creating awareness and assisting implementation of self -help projects among the minority communities, and for availing the credit facilities. The RBI would establish a focal point at an apex level to regularly monitor the functioning of the Bank branches and discuss the issues at the higher level to make it more effective. The Banks at micro level would be asked to ensure to carry out extension work so as to reach out to the poorer sections of the minority communities.
Sri Jalan also identified creation of micro credit societies to improve the situation. He assured the Commission that the situation would improve within a period of six months and he would report back to the Commission thereafter.

Commission's interaction with CEO Pasar Bharati

Shri Anil Baijal, Chief Executive Officer, Prasar Bharati was summoned by the Commission on 29.08.2001 to discuss the matters relating to the failure of Doordarshan to disseminate the achievements of NCM on restoring communal harmony in the country. This was a major breakthrough in its functioning during the last two years.

Shri Baijal assured the Commisison that he will streamline procedures in Doordarshan to ensure proper coverage to the Commission's activities and achievements on the minority related issues. Subsequently, the Prasar Bharati and Doordarshan have specifically directed Sri Manoj Pandey, Director, News, Sri Shekhar Choudhary, Dy. Controller of Programmes and Sri Harish Awasthi, DG, CD to regularly interact with the Commission and give due coverage in the Doordarshan programmes and news.

Commission writes to the State Chief Secretaries for taking preemptive measures to protect the minority communities as a result of America's proposed action against Afghanistan

The Commission took cognizance of the tension building up in the sub-continent against the backdrop of America's proposed military action against Afghanisan. The Commission felt concerned about the protection of minorities in the country as a back-lash to American action in countries in our vicinity. Accordingly, a D.O. letter dated 24.09.2001 from Secretary has been sent to all the Chief Secretaries of States/UTs requesting to review the situation in the sensitive areas to ensure that all preemptive measures are taken to protect the minority communities.

Nomination of a Sikh Member in the Karnataka State Minorities Commission at the intervention of NCM

Hon'ble Vice Chairman wrote to the Chief Minister, Karnataka pointing out that it was heartening to note that Karnataka State Government had set up a State Minorities Commission to look after the interests of the important minorities in the State, but there was no Sikh member in the State Commission.

The Chief Minister was requested to nominate a Member from the Sikh community in the State Minorities Commission. The Government of Karnataka have since informed that a Sikh Member, Sri Kuldeep Singh Rekhi, resident of Bangalore has been nominated as Member of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission.

Black list of Sikh NRIs cut to 50

Since February, 2000, the Commission has been in correspondence with the Union Govt. to review the black list of the Sikhs, prepared after 1984 riots. Due to the personal and persistent intervention of Sri Tarlochan Singh, Vice Chairman, NCM and discussions with the top officials in the MHA the list has now been reduced to 50 persons only.

UK to open Visa Office in Jalandhar

Due to persistent efforts made by Sri Tarlochan Singh, Vice Chairman, NCM for the last one year the Govt. of UK has decided to open its visa office in Jalandhar. Since 90% of the relatives of the Indians residing in UK lived in the Punjab, Jalandhar has been chosen for the visa office by UK. The Vice Chairman has also taken up the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs for opening a visa office in Punjab for the Indian immigrants in Canada.

Sardar Sobha Singh birth celebrations

The State Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab were requested to take proper measures to safeguard the Sardar Sobha Singh Art Gallery at Andreita, Distt. Kangra (H.P.) and also to have appropriate celebration of the birth centenary of the great artist on 29.11.2001. Commission also wrote to the Union Communication Minister to release commemorative stamp by the Deptt. of Post as a tribute to the artist. The State Govt. vide its letter dated 06.07.2001 informed the Commission that to celebrate the birth centenary of Sardar Sobha Singh, the State Govt. has decided to undertake the following programmes :_

(v) Seminars and workshop on the life and works of Sardar Sobha Singh.

(vi) On the spot painting competition of College going children on 29.11.2001.

(vii) Bringing out a folder on the life and works of Sardar Sobha Singh.

(viii) Naming of a Road and the Govt. High School at Palampur, after the name of Sardar Sobha Singh.

Further, the Govt. of Punjab has formed a committee to celebrate the Sardar Sobha Singh Birth centenary.

Selection of Sardar Joginder Singh for Arjuna Award on VC's recommendations

Hon'ble Vice Chairman, NCM took up the case of an athlete Sardar Joginder Singh Bedi, r/o Nagpur, a handicapped, who won three medals in USA for conferring Arjuna Award, with the Govt. of India. S. Joginder Singh Bedi was selected for 'Arjuna Award'.

Principal, Regional College of Technology, Bhopal - Commission's intervention to restore the authority

The Principal, Regional College of Technology, Bhopal, who belongs to a minority community complained to the Commission about undue interference and harassment by the Chairman of the College who happens to be the Minister of Technical Education and Manpower Planning of the Government of M.P. The Principal of the College felt desperate, as he was not allowed to exercise his administrative powers and decisions about the matters falling under his jurisdiction were taken by the Minister. The Vice Chairman, National Commission for Minorities took up the matter with Sri Digvijay Singh, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Sri Murli Manohar Joshi, the Union Minister of Human Resource Development. The Hon'ble Chief Minister intervened in the matter and sorted it out after talking to the minister concerned. He assured the Hon'ble Vice Chairman of his endeavour to ensure that the College flourishes in an atmosphere of autonomy.

Representation from Dr. J.C. Edward r/o Bangalore regarding payment of pension arrears from 01.01.1995

A representation from Dr. J.C. Edward r/o Bangalore was received in the Commission, wherein he stated that he was not getting his pension from U.P. Govt. since 01.01.1995, he requested the Commission for help in the matter.

The matter was taken up with the U.P.Govt. The reply received from the U.P. Government vide letter dated 13.06.2001 informed that the State Finance Department decided not to invoke the clause which restrict inter state transfer of pension in this case. Consequently, the State Agriculture Deptt. wrote to the A.G. Allahabad and Financial Controller, Higher Education on 22.03.2001 intimating them of waiver of above said restrictive stipulation, and transmission of records to A.G. Karnataka by Financial Controller, DHE through A.G.U.P. Allahabad. The former has also been instructed to make payment of the due amount to the wife of the deceased applicant.

Commission's intervention on the recruitment of Group 'D' posts in Delhi Hospitals

The Commission received a complaint that the Selection Committees constituted by the Govt. of NCT of Delhi for recruitment of Group 'D' posts in various hospitals in Delhi were not following the orders of the Department of Personnel & Training, which makes it mandatory to have one member belonging to minority community in Selection Committees/Boards.

The matter was taken up with the Delhi Govt. The report received from Directorate of Health Services of Government of NCT, Delhi was examined and was not found satisfactory. Sri R.C. Chandramohan, Secretary (Health) and Sri R.M. Baishya, Director, Health Services, Government of NCT of Delhi were summoned by the Commission to appear before it on 11.09.2001 at 11:30 a.m.

The submissions made by the above two officials were that they were not aware of the DOPT circular No. OM.39016/9(S)/89-Estt-B dated 16.08.1990 and they unconditionally apologized before the Commission for the lapse that had occurred in not having a member from the minority community on the Selection Boards. They, however, stated that even when there was no minority representative in the Selection Committee, the interest of the minorities was taken care of. As such, out of the 237 muslim candidates interviewed - 10 were finally selected. The Commission reiterated that :-
(i) the instructions of DOPT referred to above be circulated by the office of the Chief Secretary to all Departments for necessary action and given wider publicity in the State.
(ii) For adequate representation of minority communities in its selection at all levels, Government of NCT of Delhi should include a column of religion in the application form for various posts, so that the information on minority applications is available.

Hindi Divas

The 'Hindi Divas' was celebrated in the Commission on 14th September, 2001. The function was organized in the Commission under the Chairmanship of Justice Mohd. Shamim, Chairman, NCM where S. Tarlochan Singh, Vice Chairman, NCM also participated. The Hon'ble Chairman distributed the cash awards to the various officials of the Commission who participated in Hindi Competitions on Noting Drafting/Essay. The Hon'ble Chairman mentioned that the Officers of the Commission and its staff should do more work in Hindi. He emphasized the use of a simple terminology/vocabulary of Hindi to facilitate decision making even by those officials, who do not possess much of Hindi knowledge.

Relief being given by Delhi government to the Kashmiri migrants

The Office of the Secretary Revenue & Divisional Commissioner, Govt. NCT of Delhi intimated Sri V.K. Dar, Hon'ble Member, National Commission for Minorities about the details of the facilities that are being provided by them to the Kashmiri migrants in Delhi State. Following are worth to be mentioned:-
(i) Photo Identity Cards have been issued to 77,352 persons (19,338 families) by February, 1993.

(ii) 4200 families are getting relief including 238 families residing in Camps.

Facilities for education for members of micro-minorities in the State of Maharashtra

Realising the plight of the Parsi Zoroastrians and the Kashmiri Pandits , the State of Maharashtra has treated them as micro-minorities and would like to extend to them some benefits. It was brought out that the State recognizes the significant contribution made by the Parsis since the late nineteenth century in setting up of centers of excellence in the old Bombay Presidency in the field of education and training. Although funded by the Parsi Zoroastrians, these institutions are no longer managed by the community. As such, it is not possible for Parsi students to get seats in them, as would be the case for Educational Institutions, which are both funded and managed by a particular community.

During discussions with Lt. Gen. (Retd.) A.M. Sethna, Member of the Commission, the State has agreed to give favourable consideration for a few seats for the deserving students of the micro-minorities in the Engineering /Technial & High Electronic, Medical and other educational institutions funded by Parsi charity. Details would be worked out by the State Educational Authorities and the Bombay Parsi Panchayat, which would provide local inputs.