AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PANEL FOR MINORITIES

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may have to step in to break the logjam over the Equal Opportunities Commission after turf issues threaten to shrink the ambit of the proposed body from deprived groups to just minorities. Sources said if the Group of Ministers (GoM) looking into the issue fails to break the deadlock, with various ministries objecting to EOC treading on the toes of other functional commissions, the issue may have to be resolved by the Prime Minister. In its two meetings, the GoM headed by Defence Minister AK Antony saw ministers object that EOC’s mandate of catering to deprived groups overlaps with the grievance redressal mechanisms for SCs, STs, women, children among others. There were suggestions that the proposed commission be limited to minorities. The suggestion to shrink its mandate is seen as contentious. Sources said in that case, the minority affairs ministry may go to PM for clarifications on “his vision of EOC”.