Question : ANGLO-INDIAN COMMUNITIES

(a) whether any proposal or request has been received to the Government to introduce welfare measures for Anglo-Indian community as many of them are economically and educationally weak;

(b) if so, whether the Government will consider to establish `welfare centres` for the Anglo-Indian community and provide them facilities to start `self- employment schemes` particularly in cities where there is concentration of Anglo-Indians;

(c) if not, whether the Government will consider establishment of `welfare centres` for Anglo-Indian and if so, the details in this regard;

(d) whether any proposal has been received from Anglo-Indian community to classify them as `Ethnic and Linguistic Minority` as they have been defined as an ethnic Minority under Article 366(2) of the Constitution; and

(e) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SALMAN KHURSHID)

(a) While no proposal has been received for introduction of welfare measures exclusively for `Anglo-Indian Community`, a number of schemes like Scholarship and Fellowship Schemes, Free Coaching and Allied Scheme, Multi-sectoral Development Programme, etc. have been introduced by this Ministry for weaker sections amongst the religious minorities declared under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities, (NCM) Act, 1992 i.e., Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis. Besides, National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation provides, through their State, Channelising Agency (SCA), term loan and micro finance to eligible members of minority communities. Anglo-Indians belonging to above religious minorities can avail of benefit of those schemes.

(b) & (c) At present, there is no scheme under consideration for setting up of `welfare centres` for any religious minority community.

(d) & (e) No, Madam. Article 366(2) of the Constitution defines an Anglo- Indian. The Constitution has provided safeguards for religious and linguistic minorities. These safeguards are available to religious and linguistic minorities including eligible sections of`Anglo-Indians`.