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The 14th meeting of the National Integration Council (NIC) will take place in New Delhi on 13 October 2008. This high level meeting will be headed by the Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh. Several issues will be discussed at the day-long meeting including promotion of education among minorities, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes; elements contributing to national integration; and removal of regional imbalances, caste and identity divisions.
Meanwhile, the crucial issue of terrorism has not been included in the agenda of NIC meet. The opposition party, BJP is supposed to spur big debate regarding this matter. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje have criticized the UPA government to spare such important issue of terrorism. The leaders alleged that the ruling government is ignoring the issue of terrorism at the time when country is suffering severely.
The NIC meet is being held after three years. Besides the Prime Minster other dignitaries supposed to be present in the meet includes Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, Chairpersons of National Commissions, eminent public figures and representatives from business, labor, media and women. The outcome of this meet is supposed to be very fruitful as far as development of the backward classes of the country is concerned.
