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NCM wants minority body in Orissa
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NewsByte on 14 May, 2008 02:43:42
 
By OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, May 14: The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) wants Orissa to
set up a State Minorities Commission in the state. The suggestion comes
following a recent visit by the NCM vice-chairman Michael Pinto to the state. In
his suggestions following the visit, Mr Pinto has said that a minorities
commission armed with suitable powers and responsibilities must be established
as soon as possible in Orrisa.
Mr Pinto in his report has also said that the state government should
immediately extend the policy of giving relief and assistance for rebuilding
damaged properties to religious establishments that have suffered untold damage
in the riots. This needs to be done on a war footing. This observation has come
in the light of the extensive damage to church and church institutions that
occurred in the state some months ago following clashes between the Hindus and
Christians in the Kandhmal district of Orissa.
The NCM report has also suggested amendments to the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak
Yojana so that roads can be built under the scheme to provide access to even
small villages. Further, the report has said that policymakers should try to
address the question of the uneven access to the fruits of development so that
economic issues are not allowed to degenerate into communal violence.