• The panel showed concern over the complaints of Muslims not getting loans from the nationalised banks despite the recommendation from the Minority Development Corporation.

• The committee also expressed concern over the ‘‘number of recent occurrences that highlight inter-community tensions in the coastal areas of the state and the district of Chickmagalur.’’

When contacted, Minister for Minority Welfare Iqbal Ansari said: ‘‘We are aware of the problem Muslims facing in getting loans from the nationalised banks. Since they do not come under the purview of the state government, we are roping in cooperative banks to give loans to Muslim farmers and entrepreneurs. We are also working out a special package to re-skill the Muslims who are losing out on their traditional occupations.’’

ANDHRA PRADESH: This is perhaps a good news story. While praising certain community initiatives, the committee underscored the need for ‘‘an inclusive development of the community by providing them accessibility to education at primary, elementary and higher levels and private and pubic sector employment.’’

Md Fareeduddin, minister for minority welfare, said: ‘‘We are paying all attention to the development of the Muslim community. Also we are encouraging community initiatives like training Muslim girls and boys for the BPO industry.’’

KERALA: The state has thrown some statistical puzzles at committee. Though Muslims constituted 24.7 per cent of the state’s population, their share in government jobs was just 9.88 per cent. The SC/STs who constituted 10.95 per cent of the population had a job share of 13.3 per cent.

... contd.