Govt. of AP has decided to give cabinet rank to the newly appointed Chairman of State Minorities Commission. He will get powers and privelages on a par with a cabinet Minister. Govt. informed about the situation to General Administration Department. The allotment of a separate Chamber for the Chairman of Minorities Commission in secretariat is in progress.
It is said that his chamber is getting ready in the D Block of secretariat. Its sanction would be obtained from the Chairman within two days. All though there is an office of the Chairman but it is in sufficient due to giving cabinet rank to it. The Govt. has therefor decdied to allot a separate chamber in D Block.
Mr. Abid Rasool Khan, Chairman of Minorities Commission will be available regularly in secretariat for receiving the complaints regarding Minorities issues. At present, he is discharging his duties from his residence. For the past 4 years due to the non existence of the commission there was no chamber for its Chairman. Mr. Abid Rasool Khan told that he has received a number of complaints which will be reviewed in the meeting of the Commission to be held next week in the block. Commission has the powers to commission any official for offering explanation on any issue. Govt. has allocated only Rs. 10 lakh during the current financial year for Minorities Commission.
Mr. Abid Rasool Khan has requested to Govt. to enhance the budget of the commission to Rs. 20 crore so that the commission can serve better the cause of Minorities. Minorities Commission proposes to conduct an economic survey of Minorities in the state so that on the basis of it, Minorities could get benefit out of various schemes of the Commission.
——Siasat News