Question : EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES

(a) the details of schemes being implemented for the welfare of minority communities in the country;

(b) whether equal opportunity is made available to all the sections of the minorities notified under section 2

(c) of the National Commission for Minority Act, 1992;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) if not, the steps taken by the Government in this regard;

(e) whether the Prime Minister’s New 15-Point Programme has been fully implemented in the country including Southern States;

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor, State-wise; and

(g) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI NINONG ERING)

(a) The Ministry of Minority Affairs is implementing various schemes for the welfare of the minority communities in the country.

(i) For the educational empowerment of minorities, the Ministry is implementing three scholarship schemes, namely, Pre-matric, Post-matric and Merit-cum-means Based Scholarship Schemes, covering students from Class I to Ph. D. In addition, the Ministry is implementing Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scheme for students of M. Phil. and Ph. D. Also, Free Coaching and Allied Scheme, Support for Students clearing Prelims and Schemes of Maulana Azad Education Foundation based on the corpus fund granted by the Government, have been implemented for the benefit of minority communities.

(ii) The Ministry is implementing Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) for creating socio-economic infrastructure and providing basic amenities in the areas with substantial minority population.

(iii) For economic empowerment of minorities, the Ministry is implementing ‘Seekho aur Kamao’ – Scheme for Skill Development of Minorities, schemes of National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) for extending credit with the help of equity share capital released by the Government and scheme for Grant-in-aid to State Channelising Agencies of NMDFC.

(iv) For empowerment of minority women, ‘Nai Roshni’ – Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women is being implemented.

(v) The Ministry is also implementing a scheme for Computerisation of records of State Wakf Boards.

(b) to (d) Equal opportunity is being made available to all the sections of the minority communities notified under Section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minority Act, 1992, in accordance with the constitutional provisions and different laws enacted. Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities ensures equitable share for minorities in different schemes of Government for the disadvantaged sections. In addition to these, the Government is also considering setting up of an Equal Opportunity Commission to ensure access to opportunity, entitlement or rights to deprived groups of minority communities and to secure fair and equitable development of policy and implementation of programmes.

(e) to (g) Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities is an overarching programme which covers various schemes/initiatives of different Ministries/ Departments by either earmarking 15% of targets/outlays for the minorities or specific monitoring of flow of benefits/funds to minorities or areas with substantial minority population. This programme is being implemented throughout the country including the Southern States. The programme is being implemented with the objectives of enhancing opportunities for education of minorities, ensuring equitable share for minorities in economic activities and employment, improving the condition of living of minorities and preventing and controlling the communal disharmony. The programme provides for a structured monitoring system at the Centre, State and district levels. It is proposed to modify the programme by expanding the basket of schemes covered under this programme and sharpening the focus of the programme on minority concentration areas.