Equality Bill likely this session

The government is likely to introduce the Equal Opportunities Commission Bill during the coming Parliament session, which gets underway from November 19. HT Correspondent reports.

The government is likely to introduce the Equal Opportunities Commission Bill during the coming Parliament session, which gets underway from November 19.

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The Bill will give India its first equality law designed to eliminate discrimination faced disadvantaged groups.

The equality commission, like those in many multi-ethnic Western countries, will set up best practices for codes and equality benchmarks for all levels of government and the private sector in fields such as employment and education, and ensure these are adhered to.

The minority affairs ministry has directly moved the high-level Group of Ministers for quick clearance of the Bill instead of going to the cabinet. A Bill proposed to be introduced in Parliament requires cabinet’s go-ahead.

“We have also informed Parliament of our readiness and intention to introduce the Bill this session,” Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said on Monday.