By India Tomorrow News,
Bangalore, 23 Dec 2013: The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs under its Minority Development Programme has approved projects worth Rs.1102.66 crore and released Rs.737 crore for various states during 2012-13, claimed the Union Minister for Minority Affairs K. Rahman Khan. He was addressing the inaugural session of Southern Regional Conference of NGOs in Bangalore on Saturday.
The total number of projects taken up under the Minority Development Programme during 2012-13 include 14244 Indira Awas Yojna Houses, 2101 Additional class rooms, 36 schools,151 Hostels, 1885 Anganwadi`s, 14917 Drinking Water Facilities, 307 Health Centres,793 Toilets, 41 ITI`s and 13 Polytechnics, the minister informed at the conference organised by the National Minority Development and Finance Co-Operation of Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Under PM`s 15 points programme, 11 ministries have introduced 24 programmes for minorities. Efforts have been made for educational empowerment of minorities through Pre-matric, Post-matric, Merit-cum-means based scholarships and Maulana Azad National Fellowships. In 2012-13 Rs.1360 crore has been released under scholarship schemes to support education of 72 lakh minority students, the minister claimed.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramayya, who was the chief guest of the program, said the state government has approved 676 crore for the development of minorities in the state. Top priority will be given for the educational empowerment of minority students. Rs.10 crore has been approved for the scholarship programme of Jain students. 34 Hostels and Two new Morarji Desai schools will be opened soon, he said.
On the other side of the claims, reports have been appearing in the media that no minority welfare scheme has been effectively implemented on the ground.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Qamarul Islam, Karnataka State Minister for Municipalities, Dheeraj Kumar, Director, Minister of Minority Affairs, Y.P Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ali Ahmad Khan, Secretary, Central Wakf Board.
