This paper has two overarching concerns, namely, examining the performance of the national and state governments in advancing social and economic development of socio-religious communities in India; and identifying the institutions and policies necessary for the government to ensure the constitutional right of all Indian citizens to equal opportunity, especially its minorities. Towards this end, this study analyses the pro-poor policies and programs that were developed in response to the recommendations presented to the Government of India in The social, economic, and educational status of the Muslim community of India: a report" in November 2006. Popularly known as the Sachar Committee report, it was prepared by the Prime Minister’s High Level Committee chaired by retired Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Sri Rajinder Sachar.

The English version of the Sachar Committee report is available at http://www.minorityaffairs.gov.in/sites/upload_files/moma/files/pdfs/sac... (10)

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Abusaleh Shariff, Executive Director and Chief Scholar, US-India Policy Institute, Washington, DC.