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Commission to study polarisation in Gujarat disbanded after 6 years

The panel was disbanded in August last year after it failed to submit its report despite four extensions.

Ahmedabad: A one-member judicial commission set up by the Gujarat government to conduct inquiry into allegations of polarisation of population on religions lines in the state was disbanded after six years when it failed to submit its report.

The panel, headed by Justice (Retired) B J Sethna, was set up through a government notification issued on July 3, 2009, was disbanded in August last year after it failed to submit its report despite four extensions. It was scheduled to submit it by January 31, 2011.

While commission said it was not given enough time to submit the report, opposition Congress alleged that the delay was done by the ruling party in order to hide facts. With the commission failing to submit its report, a scientific assessment to ascertain reasons behind religious polarisation and measures on how to tackle it will not be available for the policy makers and others to study and take necessary actions.

Then Acting Secretary of the commission, K M Bhavsar said the government declined the request to grant further extension to the commission. "The commission had conducted primary round of inquiry visiting different parts of the state and meeting public representatives and officials in civic bodies. But the term of reference being huge, it required more time to finalise the report," Bhavsar said.

It was granted four extensions and government decided to give no further extension after its last term ended on August 31 last year, he said. Justice (retired) Sethna, when contacted, declined to comment on the issue. "You should better talk to the government over the issue," he said. Principle secretary (Home) P K Taneja could not be reached out for comments despite repeated attempts.

( Source : PTI )
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