With the assembly elections just a couple of months away, the Congress government in Delhi has approved the long-standing demand of the Jain community for minority status.

"The Jain community in Delhi has been accorded minority status. It has already been granted minority status in several other states," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said on Tuesday after a Cabinet meeting, which approved the decision.

She said that after getting minority status, the Jains would be able to effectively manage their educational institutions as per the parameters specified for such institutions.

The Jain community constitutes around 2 per cent of the population of the national capital, but the affluent community has considerably more influence despite lower numbers.

Christians, Muslims and Punjabis are already enjoying minority status in the city