(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce any special schemes for the welfare
of minorities during the 12th Five Year Plan;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the objectives of such schemes and the time –frame fixed to achieve the target?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI NINONG ERING)
(a) to (c) Yes, Madam. The following new schemes have been included for implementation during
the Twelfth Five Year Plan for the welfare of the minorities:-
(i) Scheme for Interest subsidy on educational loans for overseas studies for the
students belonging to minority communities to provide financial assistance by way
of extending interest subsidy on education loans for pursuing higher studies abroad.
(ii) Scheme for Skill Development Initiatives to enhance employment and livelihood skills
of minorities by providing skills and skills up-gradation to the minority communities.
(iii) Scheme for Support for students clearing Prelims Conducted by UPSC/SSC, State Public
Service Commission (PSC) etc to support candidates from the minority communities who qualify
at the preliminary examinations conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff
Selection Commission (SSC), State Public Service Commissions (PSCs) etc. to improve their
representation in government services.
(iv) Scheme for containing population decline of small minority community to arrest
the declining population trend of small minority community, viz Parsis.
(v) Scheme for Strengthening of State Waqf Boards to provide financial assistance to State
Waqf Board for strengthening them in order to improve their performance.
(vi) Scheme for promotion of education in 100 minority concentration towns/cities having
substantial minority population, for empowering the minorities to provide infrastructure
for various levels of schools, including teaching aids and also for up-gradation and
construction of infrastructure for skill and vocational education along with hostel facility.
(vii) Scheme for Village development programme for villages not covered by
minority concentration blocks (MCBs)/ minority concentration districts (MCDs)
to provide infrastructure for socio-economic development and basic amenities.
(viii) Scheme for Support to Districts Level Institutions to give financial support for setting
up of and running district level institutions for minority welfare in Minority Concentration
Districts.
(ix) Free bicycle for Girl Students of Class IX for retention of minority girl students from
Class IX onwards.
The schemes at Sr. No. (vi) to (ix) above have been merged with the existing Multi-sectoral
Development Programme.