'Equal Opp Commission Bill to be introduced in budget session'

 Asserting that strengthening of monitoring system for effective implementation of Sachar panel recommendations was on government agenda, Union Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan today said he planned to introduce the Equal Opportunities Commission Bill in the budget session.

The minister, who held a review meeting of the Sachar recommendations, PM's 15 point programme and various minority welfare programmes of the state government with Chief MInister Prithviraj Chavan, told reporters the Commission would have judicial, summoning powers and its directions would be mandatory.

He said the functioning will not overlap with that of the existing bodies like the Human Rights Commission.

"The cabinet has approved the bill for setting up the proposed commission and I may introduce it in the comming session," the minister said.

He said the commission will facilitate the setting up of diversity index and national data base bank.

Speaking of the Communal Violence Bill, the minister said the Bill which has been introduced, has been diluted by the standing committee.

"It is not the one which we wanted. The government's version was the one approved by the National Advisory council (NAC). We are negotiating with the political parties," he added.

Khan said recommendations of the Sachar Committee are being implemented, but admitted that there may be monitoring problems.

"We have implemented most of the recommendations, which can be done through executive orders. What is pending are the legislative measures. The country cannot afford to have communal disturbances," he added.