From correspondents in Delhi, India, 01:01 PM IST

The Manmohan Singh government will set up an equal opportunity commission as part of a slew of measures for the welfare of the minority communities, President Pratibha Patil said Thursday.

Addressing a joint session of the parliament, Patil said: 'My government will continue to accord the highest priority to the welfare of minorities.'

She said the government will strive to 'modernise the administraion of Wakfs, reform the management of Haj operations and set up an equal opportunity commission', while its efforts to enable the minorities to have an equitable share in 'government resources, jobs and plans' would be strengthened.

Patil said the prime minister's new 15-point programme for welfare of minorities and the action taken on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee have 'to some extent' succeeded.

'Steps under way would be consolidated further,' the president said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)