With the chances of an early election being higher, the Centre is understood to have decided to go slow on the proposed Central Madrasa Board Act-2007 which is aimed at streamlining madrasa education by establishing a central board.

The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) has prepared a draft in April, but they have not even received even a preliminary feedback from the HRD Ministry.

Even the statement of the A R Antulay, Minister of Minority Affairs, in Parliament on  follow-up action on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee did not mention the Act.

“The madrasa modernisation programme will be revised to enhance the components eligible for assistance,” the minister said,  without divulging any details.

“The proposal to set up a Central Madrasa Board to standardise madrasa education has been opposed by certain groups having vested interests,” sources told Deccan Herald.

“So far, madrasa modernisation has only meant the distributing a few computers in some madrasas, although most of these could not be put to use due to lack of trained teachers or other basic facilities like electricity,” he said.