Sachar panel’s term extended

The Centre has extended the term of the ‘‘Prime Minister’s High Power Committee’’, headed by Justice Rajinder Sachar, looking into the status of Muslims in the country, till October-end.

The Prime Minister’s Office, which is the nodal authority in the matter, sent its extension notification on Thursday. The term of the committee is slated to end on June 8, when it was expected to submit its final report. Sources in the PMO said the panel’s tenure had to be extended since the report was sure to take more time.

Justice Sachar said the magnitude of the work and the nature of data collection means it would take time to finalise the report.

The committee will analyse socio-economic factors of the Muslim community like their educational and employment status and file its report to the PMO.