E-Paper
Now it?s KMC?s turn for Muslims? headcount
EVEN WHEN the counting of Muslims in the Indian Army had become an eyesore for several political parties especially the saffron brigade, which raised much hue and cry over the same, the process has begun in the Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC) too. However, officials are tightlipped over the counting of Muslims in the civic body, though the sources say the order has come from the Local Bodies directorate citing the requirement by the Sachchar Commission.
EVEN WHEN the counting of Muslims in the Indian Army had become an eyesore for several political parties especially the saffron brigade, which raised much hue and cry over the same, the process has begun in the Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC) too. However, officials are tightlipped over the counting of Muslims in the civic body, though the sources say the order has come from the Local Bodies directorate citing the requirement by the Sachchar Commission.
The counting work has been expedited to the level that about two-dozen departments under the KMC have already prepared the details of number of Muslims in their sections. There are 44 departments in the Corporation. “The counting of Muslims in other sections is underway,” said the KMC source.
According to sources, counting of Muslims have been initiated following directives issued from the Local Bodies director, through a letter stated: “A list ascertaining the socio-economic and academic status of Muslims is being prepared by the Justice Rajendra Sachchar Commission, constituted by Prime Minister.” The letter further states that it is therefore required to count the number of Muslims working in the Corporation as early as possible.
The details of counting of Muslims in various departments available with Hindustan Times has one Muslim and 13 other caste employees in the chief engineer’s office. Similarly, the horticulture department has 10 Muslims and 41 of other castes, 8 Muslims and 43 others at the executive engineer’s office of Zone 6, one Muslim and 29 others in the Traffic Department, one Muslim and 35 other in the General Administration, 11 Muslims and 77 in Care taker office while 2 Muslims and 7 others in the PRO.
Strangely, counting of Muslim corporators has also been done by the KMC. The details include 18 elected Muslims through people’s mandate out of the 110 corporators, 4 Muslims out of the 10 nominated corporators and one Muslim out of 10 honorary corporators which include elected representatives from various assembly segments and constituencies.
According to sources, the order has come from the State Government following directive by the member of the committee, MM Wasid during the meeting with the State Government officials recently.
Interestingly, when contacted Additional Municipal Commissioner I Captain R Vikkram Singh feigned ignorance about any such directive.
