In keeping with its poll promise, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government will table a draft Bill in the winter session of Parliament for setting up an equal opportunities commission (EOC).
“People who face difficulties in their business or in getting access to education, employment or housing can approach the commission,” minorities affairs minister Salman Khursheed said.
Unlike the National Commission for Minorities, the EOC will look into complaints from all sections of society. Under the EOC’s ambit will be public as well as private organisations. Also, it will be empowered to suo motu (on its own cognisance) inquire into cases where it feels people have been discriminated against.
“The commission (EOC) can look at any identifiable group of people or individuals who feel deprived, whether for political, regional or religious reasons,” Khursheed said.
The minority affairs ministry has discussed the EOC Bill with the home, finance, and women and child development ministries, the Planning Commission and the SC/ST Commission. Once the law ministry approves it, the Bill will be put before the Union cabinet, likely within the fortnight.
Initially, the EOC will look into complaints from the education and employment sectors, but will widen its scope later. Khursheed said the EOC’s jurisdiction will not overlap with that of similar commissions: the EOC will pass on a complaint to another commission if it feels the latter is better equipped to deal with the matter.
