FKCA Demands Equal Representation for State Minority Commission
Bangalore, July 4: The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (Karnataka) has urged the Government to evolve a policy to ensure that candidates from the communities such as Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, Parsis and Anglo-Indians are considered for appointment as chairmen of the State Minority Commission and the Minorities Development Corporation on rotation.
The Chairman of the Federation, Valerian Fernandes, told presspersons here on Saturday that the Government has considered only Muslims to head the State Minority Commission right from its inception in 1983. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure "equal treatment for all minority communities on rotation basis and stop favoring any one community perpetually," he added.
Same case is with Minorities Development Corporation, which was established in 1986 to ensure the implementation of welfare schemes and programmes for all religious minorities. Of the 16 persons who have headed the commission, nine were senior IAS officials and seven were non-officials from the Muslim community. Although Christians form the second largest minority community in the State, they are yet to hold the post. The Government should appoint a deserving Christian to the post, Mr. Fernandes said.
It has also urged the Government to include the children of Konkani-speaking people (of Karnataka Origin) in its quota for CET seats under the Horanadu Kannadiga category.
Non-Christian Konkani-speaking communities, such as Gowd Saraswat, Kharvi, Navayats (Muslims) and Kudumbi, who live both in the State and elsewhere, are kept out of the purview of the government quota for the CET admission will be also be benefited.
The federation has also urged the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, to accommodate either the former Minister Blasius M. D'Souza or Winnifred Fernandes, MLCs, while filling the two vacant ministerial slots.
The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations had already met the chief minister Dharam Singh on June 15 and submitted the memorandum highlighting these issues.
General secretary Charles Gomes, vice Chairman Anil Rego and Harry D'Souza joint secretaries Nerry D'Silva Treasurer Antony Gonsalves and also Presidents of all the member Associations were present.