Question : PM 15-Point Programme

(a) the aims and objectives of Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme for the welfare of minorities including the details of 15-Points and the schemes included for the purpose;

(b) whether the Government has reviewed/evaluated the physical and financial performance of the programme and if so, the details of physical and financial achievements made under the schemes included in the programme;

(c) whether the Government proposes to remodel the said programme for its effective implementation; and

(d) if the details thereof and the changes likely to be made in the said programme and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a): The aim of Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities (PM’s New 15-PP) is to ensure that the benefits of various Government schemes for the underprivileged reach the disadvantaged sections of the minority communities. In order to ensure that the benefits of various Government schemes flow equitably to minorities, this programme stipulates allocation of a certain proportion of development projects in minority concentration areas. It also provides that, wherever possible, 15% of targets and outlays under various schemes should be earmarked for minorities. Out of a total of 24 schemes/initiatives covered under the Programme, 12 schemes / initiatives are meant exclusively for minorities.

The objectives of the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme are as under:

(i) Enhancing opportunities for education;

(ii) Ensuring an equitable share for minorities in economic activities and employment, through existing and new schemes, enhanced credit support for self-employment, and recruitment to State and Central Government jobs;

(iii) Improving the conditions of living of minorities by ensuring an appropriate share for them in infrastructure development schemes; and

(iv) Prevention and control of communal disharmony and violence.

The details of 15-Points and the schemes/initiatives included under the Programme are at Annexure.

(b) to (d): Ministry of Minority Affairs, being the nodal Ministry for PM’s New 15-PP, reviews and monitors the progress of implementation of various schemes/ initiatives included under this Programme, in review meetings held on quarterly basis under the chairmanship of Secretary (Minority Affairs) with the Nodal Officers of concerned implementing Ministries/ Departments. The progress of implementation of the Programme is also monitored by a Committee of Secretaries once in six months and a report is submitted to the Cabinet.

The concerned implementing Ministries / Departments get their scheme (s) evaluated in order to assess their impact on the minority beneficiaries. The corrective and improvement measures are contingent upon the outcome of periodic reviews and the evaluation reports, which is a continuous process.

The details of physical and financial achievements made under the schemes since inception of the programme is given in Annexure.


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