Insted of opening up the Sachar Committee report on the social, economic and educational status of the Muslims for a debate, the government plans to take note of the findings of the report either by legislative measure or by considerations in the coming Budget.

That the government is geared up to adopt policies and work out a financial package for the minority population was clear today when the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, fending queries on why the report was not discussed in the Winter session of Parliament, said the government would duly take note of the report.

“In the Budget session, there would either be some legislative measure or targeted budgetary allocation (for the Muslims),’’ Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said and added, “It is being duly considered, There is already a committee going into it.’’

With Assembly elections scheduled in four states, including Punjab and UP, sources said the government could ill-afford to let the Opposition hijack a debate on the report and communally divide the polity. But budgetary allocation or legislation would come as a fait accompli.

On the Women’s Reservation Bill, Dasmunsi hinted that the legislation could be introduced at a time and in a manner that would make it implementable in the next round of Lok Sabha elections slated to take place in 2009.

Citing time constraint, he said the inter-session period would be utilised to work out a consensus on the Bill. It may then come up for the Budget session.