New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today (Sep 29, 2004) approved setting up of a National Commission to recommend measures for welfare of socially and economically backward sections among religious and linguistic minorities, including reservation in education and Government employment.

The Cabinet, at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also approved the terms of reference for the Commission which includes suggesting criteria for identification of socially and economically backward sections among religious and linguistic minorities, Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy told.

He said the other terms were to recommend measures for welfare of these sections, including reservation in education and Government employment and suggests necessary legal, constitutional and administrative modalities for implementation of the recommendations.

The Commission is expected to give its report by March 31 next year.

The panel is being set up in the light of the commitments made in the National Common Minimum Programme of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government, which spoke of setting up of such a Commission to see how best the welfare of these sections was enhanced.

In reply to questions whether the present ceiling of 50 per cent would be retained or enhanced, Reddy said the ceiling was set through judicial pronouncements and the Government does not want to pre-empt the proposed Commission.