Leaders of the minority communities under the aegis of the Odisha Minority Alliance demanded constitution of a Commission for Minorities and creation of a separate Govenrment department for minorities on the occasion of the International Minorities Rights Day on Tuesday.
A team submitted a six-point charter of demands to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in respect of their demands, informed alliance convenor Pallab Kumar Lima at a Press meet here.
Earlier,. leaders held a meeting at the Lower PMG where they expressed grave concern that despite their repeated demands the Government has not taken any step to constitute a Commission for Minorities and provide reservation to Dalits, who have converted religion. They alleged that landless and unemployed youths of the community are not getting support from the Government. They also lamented saying that religion-related harassment and torture on Minorities are rising day by day.
Besides constitution of a special commission and a department, the leaders too demanded that a special fund provision be made for development of Minority community in the State Budget, a special law be enacted for smooth running of educational institutions run by Minority communities, a finance corporation be constituted for them and recommendations of the Ranganath Commission be executed at the earliest.
Among others, alliance joint convenor Ashish Kumar Parichha and executive members Seikh Abdul Wali, Jugal Kishore Ranjit, Tanbir Sayed and Abdul Kalam Azad were present.