National consensus needed for Muslim reservation: PM tells MPs

New Delhi, Dec 23 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Wednesday told a group of Muslim MPs (Members of Indian
Parliament), who met him with a demand for reservation for the
community, that a broad national consensus was needed for a
decision on the issue.

A 12-member delegation of Muslim MPs, led by Rajya Sabha
(Upper House of Indian Parliament) Deputy Chairman K Rahman
Khan, met Singh with a charter of demands which included early
finalisation of the Waqf Bill, immediate implementation of the
Ranganath Mishra Commission recommendations and early action
on Haj reforms.
Interacting with the MPs, Singh assured that his
government was committed to do its best to address the issues
and concerns of Muslims.
Singh assured the members that he would take up the issue
of setting up a separate Parliamentary Standing Committee on
Minority Affairs with the Presiding Officers of the Lok Sabha
(Lower House of Indian Parliament) and the Rajya Sabha in
consultation with the Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
While the Waqf Bill would be brought before Parliament in
the ensuing Budget Session, the External Affairs Ministry
would be requested to bring a comprehensive Cabinet note on
Haj reforms within a month, Singh told the MPs.
"The Prime Minister heard and discussed various issues
and assured to look at possible steps that can be taken,"
Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed, who was part of the
delegation, said. MORE PTI SKU
ANU


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