National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), in a recent survey, has revealed that nearly one third of Muslims in the nation survive on less than Rs 550 a month. The revelation came amid the ongoing debate on reservations in jobs and educational institutions for those belonging to the community. The survey revealed that three out of every 10 Muslims were below poverty line and lived on less than Rs 550 a month in the year 2004-05. Even among the poor, urban Muslims were better off compared to those in villages, who survived on Rs 338 a month during the year under review. The survey came around the time when the Supreme Court, in an interim order, has upheld the validity of four per cent job and educational reservation provided for backward members of Muslim community in Andhra Pradesh.
Ranganath Mishra Commission report, which has suggested reservation for Muslims and other minorities, has also sought Scheduled Caste status for Dalits who adopted Islam and Christianity, is awaiting action by the government.