New Delhi, Oct 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will chair the 14th meeting of the National Integration Council (NIC) here today.

Prevention of extremism, promotion of communal harmony and security among minorities, and equitable development are some of the important items on the agenda of the meeting.

Promotion of education among minorities, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes; elements contributing to national integration; and removal of regional imbalances, caste and identity divisions will also be discussed in the day-long meeting.

The BJP on Sunday said it would raise the issue of terrorism and make a bid to embarrass the government for the non-inclusion of this “crucial issue” on the agenda of the NIC meet.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje have taken strong exception to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Governments decision not to include terrorism in the agenda of the meet.

The two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have sent letters to Manmohan Singh in this regard.

While Modi said the Central Governments decision showed that it was not serious about national security and unity in the face of recurrent terrorist attacks, Raje accused the UPA Government of being hostage to votebank politics.

Modi claimed, Terrorism is proving to be the biggest challenge to the country, and the security of the innocent citizens is the topmost priority of the Central as well as State Governments.

The last meeting of the NIC was held in New Delhi on August 31, 2005.

NIC headed by the Prime Minister includes Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, which have legislatures, leaders of national political parties and of regional political parties, Chairpersons of National Commissions, eminent public figures and representatives from business, labour, media and women. (ANI)