MNS:- K Rahman Khan, the Union Minister of Minority Affairs says that the system to monitor implementation of schemes and programmes for minorities, is being improved to ensure that benefits reach the real targets. Interacting with media here today on the eve of Minorities Rights Day, Shri K Rahman Khan said that Sachchar Committee has stressed on educational and economic backwardness and social conditions of the Minorities. Protecting Wakf properties and developing these for larger benefit of the community is another focus area, the Minister added. India is a country of diverse faiths, religions, cultures and languages. India\u2019s strength lies in diversity of its people. This diversity gives us an opportunity to learn, cultivate and inculcate the essence of unity by caring for our 18.5% minority population comprising about 220 million people. To ensure that every section of the society gets its due share, due care and due opportunity in every walk of life, Indian Government rededicates itself for the growth and development of minorities on the eve of Minorities Rights Day.
\nTomorrow is Minorities Rights Day. On 18th December 1992 the United Nations promulgated the \u201cDeclaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities\u201d in order to strengthen the cause of the minorities.
\n\u00b7 Ministry of Minority Affairs aims to facilitate growth and development of Minorities of the country by ensuring:
\nRight to Education;
\nConstitutional Rights;
\nEconomic Empowerment;
\nEmpowerment of Women;
\nEqual Opportunities;
\nProtection and Security under Law;
\nProtection of valuable assets like Wakf properties; and
\nParticipation in the planning process.
\n\u00b7 In order to strengthen the cause of the minorities, the United Nations promulgated the \u201cDeclaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities\u201d on 18th December 1992 proclaiming that:
\n\u201cStates shall protect the existence of the National or Ethnic, Cultural, Religious and Linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity.\u201d
\n\u201cStates shall adopt appropriate legislative and other measures to achieve these ends\u201d.
\n\u00b7 The mandate of Ministry of Minority Affairs is to ensure a focused approach towards issues relating to the minorities and to facilitate the formulation of overall policy, planning, coordination, evaluation and review of the regulatory framework and development programmes for the benefit of the minority communities. Ministry aims for inclusive development of minorities namely Muslims, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsis.
\n\u00b7 From the current financial year 2012-13 of 12th Five Year Plan, the Ministry further strengthened multi-pronged strategy for development of minority communities with focus on:
\nArea development:
\nPrime Minister\u2019s 15 Point Programme
\nMulti-sectoral Development Programme
\nEducational empowerment:
\nPre-Matric Scholarship Scheme
\nPost Matric Scholarship Scheme
\nMerit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme
\nMaulana Azad National Fellowship
\nSchemes of Maulana Azad Educational Foundation (Maulana Azad National Scholarship for meritorious girls; Grant-in Aid to NGOs for development of Educational Infrastructure)
\nEmpowerment of Minority Women:
\nScheme of Leadership Development of Minority Women started from current financial year.
\nEconomic empowerment:
\nSchemes of National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) namely, Term Loans, Micro-Finance, Educational Loans which provide loans at concessional interest rates to minorities.
\nStrengthening of minority institutions:
\nScheme for computerization of State Wakf Boards.
\nAchievements during 2012-13:
\nUnder Prime Minister\u2019s New 15 Point Programme for Minorities, 269770 houses under Indira Awas Yojana sanctioned.
\nRs. 171960.71 Crore extended to minorities under Priority Sector Lending.
\nUnder Multi-Sectoral Development Programme, Rs. 389.96 Crore have been released till date for construction of 4519 IAY houses, 106 Health Centres, 1081 Anganwadi Centres, 14293 Hand Pumps, 19 School Buildings, 613 Additional Class Rooms, 27 ITIs, 11 Polytechnics and 77 Hostels.
\nRs. 438.93 Crore released for Scholarships.
\nImplementation of Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women started.
\nRs. 69.78 Lakh released to State Wakf Boards for computerization of records.
\n25 State Wakf Boards have established Central Computing Facilities.
\nMaulana Azad Educational Foundation has increased the number of meritorious girl students to 25,000 for award of Maulana Azad National Scholarship.
\nLoans for Rs. 133.25 Crore disbursed to 32374 minority beneficiaries by NMDFC.<\/p>\n\n