Set up exclusive department for minorities plea by NCM

Chennai:

National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has urged the Tamil Nadu government to fill up vacant posts in the state minorities commission and set up an exclusive department to cater to the needs of minorities.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, NCM vice-chairman H T Sangliana urged the state government to fill up the vacant seven posts in state minorities commission, including that of chairman.

He also stressed the need for an exclusive department to expedite handling of various issues of minorities.

Currently, state minorities commission is part of the department of backward classes, most backward classes and minorities welfare.

“Presently, there is a secretary and commissioner who function in various departments. If a single agency is set up schemes for minority students could be implemented better,” he said.

Sangliana also said that he did not receive any complaint from the Christian communities over the alleged desecration of St Lourdes Church in Idanthakarai during the protests against Koodankulam nuclear plant. “No I haven’t received any complaint about the issue,” he said.

However, Sangliana said he did not see any political motive behind the protest. 

He said the protest was held to ensure the safety and security of the people living in the region. He disclosed he would be visiting the area on November 4^th or 5^th to understand the ground realities.

He also stressed the need for pre-recruitment training programme for minority students to provide more job opportunities for them in the police forces. “I have discussed the issue with the additional director general of police,” he said.