Muslim majority J-K to set up separate minority commission

This new commission, once set up, will address political grievances and development of the state8217;s minority communities. The commission, which will be set up by Jammu and Kashmir8217;s Social Welfare department, will also hear the complaints of 8220;denial of rights to minorities8221; here. 8220;We have decided to set up a state minority commission which will be constituted soon,8221; Social Welfare additional secretary K K Kitchloo said. The state minority commission will be headed by a chairman, preferably by a retired high court judge and its members will be nominated by the government.

Although the Social Welfare department will take a legal opinion from the Law department to decide whether the commission will have the power of a civil court to summon people, call for records and receive evidence on affidavits, officials said the commission would seek to address political discrimination often being alleged by minorities. The commission will also make recommendations for the preservation of the languages of minorities and will also suggest minority development programmes to the government.

8220;The government has failed to address the concerns of Kashmiri Pandits, and the minorities8217; situation in the state was quite in contrast to the national level,8221; said Panun Kashmir chairman Dr Agnishekhar.