Assam Government to conduct “socio-economic assessment” of State’s 5 indigenous Muslim communities

This decision was taken at a meeting on October 3 at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Minister for the Department of Minority Affairs Chandra Mohan Patowary and senior officials of the State government were also present in the meeting.

Chief Minister Sarma instructed the concerned authorities to take necessary measures so as to ensure the upcoming “Socio-Economic Assessment”, on its completion, is able to furnish adequate data that can be utilised by the Government of Assam. This data would help to take steps for comprehensive socio-political, academic and economic upliftment for the five indigenous Muslim communities. The State Cabinet has already approved the “indigenous” status for the above-mentioned five Muslim communities.

The latest decision to go ahead with a “Socio-Economic Assessment” of the members of the State’s five indigenous Muslim communities is expected to provide a push for their inclusive development in the field of healthcare, cultural identity, education, financial inclusion, skill development and women empowerment, among others.

It is worth mentioning that after taking over the charge of the Office of Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma had participated in an interactive session titled “Alaap-Alochana — empowering the religious minorities” with the intellectuals and leading citizens of the indigenous Muslim communities of the state. This was followed by a formation of several sub-committees by the State government with representatives of indigenous Muslim community to deliberate on issues related to the members of the Indigenous Muslim communities calling for urgent attention and measures for their mitigation. The sub-committees, in their reports which were subsequently submitted to the State government, recommended a comprehensive “Socio-Economic Survey” covering the members of the five indigenous Muslim communities. The decision to go ahead with a “Socio-Economic Assessment ” is an outcome of those sub-committee reports.