Question : Schemes Implemented for Minority Community

(a) the details and objectives of various schemes/programmes/initiatives implemented for the welfare and development of minority community in the country including Madhya Pradesh during the last three years and the current year;

(b) the details of the amount allocated and utilized during the said period along with proposals if any to introduce any new scheme for benefit of minorities in various States;

(c) whether Madhya Pradesh Government has sent proposals regarding sanctioning of funds to the Government for the development and upliftment of minority communities in the State and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government decided to amend the guidelines concerning any scheme aimed at educational empowerment of the minorities and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether steps are being taken to provide equal opportunity to the minority communities and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a): This Ministry is implementing the following schemes/programmes/initiatives in the country, including Madhya Pradesh, for the welfare and development of six Centrally notified minorities, namely, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains:-
(1) Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme - For Class I to X.
(2) Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme – For Class XI to Ph.D.
(3) Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme – For Professional and Technical Courses.
(4) Maulana Azad National Fellowship – For M.Phil. and Ph.D
(5) Free Coaching and Allied Scheme (Naya Savera) – For Competitive Examination of Professional Courses and Government Jobs.
(6) “Padho Pardesh”– Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies.
(7) Support for students clearing Prelims conducted by UPSC, SSC, State Public Service Commission (PSC) etc. (Nai Udaan)
(8) Hamari Dharohar - A scheme to preserve rich heritage of minority communities under the overall concept of Indian Culture.

(9) Jiyo Parsi – Scheme for containing population decline of small minority community.
(10) Nai Roshni–Leadership Development of Minority Women
(11) Skill Development Initiatives - Seekho Aur Kamao
(12) Nai Manzil – A scheme for formal school education & skilling of school dropouts.
(13) USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development)
(14) Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) - implemented in identified Minority Concentration Blocks, Minority Concentration Towns & Clusters of Contiguous Villages for creation of assets.
(15) Grants-in-Aid to Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) for implementation of education and skill related schemes:-
(a) Grants-in-Aid to NGOs/Trust/Society
(b) Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Meritorious Girls belonging to the Minorities
(c) Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Training for providing short-term job oriented skill development courses to youths belonging to minority communities.
(16) Equity to National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) for providing concessional loans to minorities for self-employment and income generating ventures.

The details and objectives of the schemes/programmes/initiatives at serial No. (1) to (14) are available on the website of this Ministry (www.minorityaffairs.gov.in), the one at serial No.(15) are available on the website of MAEF (www.maef.nic.in) and the one at serial No.(16) are available on the website of NMDFC (www.nmdfc.org).

(b): The details of the funds allocated and utilized under different schemes/programmes/initiatives of the Ministry during the last three years and the current year are on the website of the Ministry at www.minorityaffairs.gov.in. At present, there is no proposal under consideration in the Ministry to introduce any new scheme for the benefit of six Centrally notified minorities in various States.

(c): The Ministry, in last three years, received Block/Town plans from the State of Madhya Pradesh. The Block/Town plans which were found viable were considered and projects consisting central share of Rs.893.69 lakh and Rs.153.90 lakh for 2015-16 and 2016-17 respectively were approved by the Empowered Committee on MsDP. The details are available on official website of this Ministry, i.e., http://www.minorityaffairs.gov.in/schemesperformance/multi-sectoral-development-programme/empowered-committee-minutes.

(d): The Schemes, namely, Free Coaching & Allied Scheme, MANF, Nai Udaan and Padho Pardesh have been revised for continuation during the remaining period of 14th Finance Commission, i.e., 2017-18 to 2019-20. Three Scholarship Schemes, Skill Development Initiatives and MsDP are also proposed for revision.


(e): Pursuant to the recommendations made by the Sachar Committee and the launching of the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities (PM’s New 15 PP), several schemes/programmes/initiatives have been implemented for the welfare and development of minorities. Broad objectives of these schemes are: educational empowerment; ensure equitable share for minorities in economic activities and employment through existing and new schemes; enhance credit support for self-employment; special consideration in recruitment to State and Central Government jobs; skill development etc. The PM’s New 15 PP stipulates earmarking of 15% of physical targets/outlays for minorities for the schemes/initiatives covered under the programme. Besides, there are some schemes (e.g. scholarships, fellowships, free coaching) covered under the Programme which are exclusively meant for the notified minorities. These schemes/programmes are being implemented without any discrimination by various Ministries/Departments (including Ministry of Minority Affairs) throughout the country, either exclusively or by earmarking of 15% of overall physical/financial targets for minorities under the schemes covered under the PM’s New 15 PP.

*****