Justice Rajinder Sachar, who is heading a committee appointed by the government to look into the living conditions of the Muslims and other minorities in the country, on Friday said that his panel will submit the report in May.

"My committee was appointed in March 2005 and we were expected to submit our findings by May this year. I expect to meet the deadline as the bulk of the work is almost over," Justice Sachar told rediff.com in New Delhi on Friday.

He, however, chose not to comment on the controversial decision of the government of India to find out the number of Muslims in the armed forces. The decision has sparked a controversy as such a step would sow the seeds of communal divide in the armed forces.

"Please let me out of it. We had asked for certain information and it was left to the government to give us that information. I have nothing to say on the matter," he said.

Though he might not be willing talk about the issue, others are.

"Interestingly, in 1984, when the anti-Sikh riots broke out in Delhi, Justice Sachar and some other eminent citizens had carried out a survey and the then Congress government paid no heed to it.

"But now, a government headed by the same party has asked him to head a committee to recommend measures to improve the living conditions of Muslims in India," said a senior congress leader.