Hefty fine, jail soon for bias against minorities

New Delhi: Discrimination against minorities in education, employment and housing can soon invite a fine up to Rs 5 lakh and offenders can also be send behind bars for three years as the Government is ready with a draft for a new law that aims to protect minority interest.

The Minority Affairs Ministry has circulated a draft bill to constitute an Equal Opportunity Commission.

If passed, the commission will be empowered to impose Rs 5 lakh fine and a three-year jail term on anyone who discriminates against minorities in education, employment and housing

The Government is ready with a draft for a new law that aims to protect minority interest.

The Commission will also be empowered it to slap a fine of Rs 1 lakh per day if the accused does not comply with its rulings.

The proposed law will cover all the minorities in the country and has a provision to bring in other social groups within the ambit of the law through gazette notifications.

The commission is inspired by the Sachar Committee, which elaborately dealt with discrimination faced by minorities, especially Muslims in jobs, education and housing.

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