New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS): As the country observes Minorities Rights Day on Wednesday, a report by an NGO has called for looking beyond politics and highlighted the need for empowerment and education of India's minorities.

The report titled 'Minority Empowerment in India - Time to think beyond politics', states that there has been very slow progress in implementation of the Sachar Committee recommendations even after 13 years.

Prepared by 'The Vision Foundation', the report aims to create awareness about minorities' rights. It listed low utilisation of budgets by the Minorities Commission, and ineffective implementation of minority developmental schemes among the problems plaguing minority development in India.

The Sachar Committee Report, placed in Parliament in 2006, had pointed out the problems faced by the Muslim community and also gave its recommendations to address them. Of its 76 recommendations, 72 were accepted and 43 decisions were taken under overall seven heads.

"After more than 70 years of independence, stakeholders including all political parties must treat and think minority beyond politics and work for empowerment with education by effective utilization of allocated public resources, that will be real contributions towards minority welfare in India." said Ashutosh Kumar, treasurer of 'The Vision Foundation'.

Every year since 2013, the National Commission for Minorities, and civil society groups have been observing December 18 as Minorities Rights Day.