New Delhi: Government on Wednesday said it was exploring the possibility of providing reservation for minorities in educational institutions and government jobs.

Addressing a conference of the State Minorities Commission here, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said reservation has been provided for Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes in educational institutions and government jobs. Now there is a demand from minorities also, he said. "This is what is happening. The question is can it be done. We have to apply our minds to this and try to find out how it can be done in the best possible manner," Patil said adding, "whatever can be done for this purpose should be done".

"We cannot say that it cannot be done. Whatever ingenuity can be used in order to help the people who should be helped in these areas should be taken," the home minister said. "The government is looking into these aspects without coming to the final conclusion," he added. Patil said that it was the duty of any government to protect the minorities so that the country remains united.

He further said that though there were enough plans and funds for uplift of minorities there was not enough manpower to implement them. "I am not sure whether we have the machinery to implement these plans and whether the training required to implement them is available," he said.

Source : PTI