Question : Muslims living Below Poverty Line

(a) whether the Government proposes to carry out any survey for identifying number of people from the minorities including Muslims living Below Poverty Line (BPL) in each State;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has formulated any welfare scheme for improving the economic condition/ living standard of the minorities living below poverty line;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(e) the details of funds allocated under these schemes during each of the last three years and the current year;
(f) the details of the plan for proper implementation and monitoring of these schemes; and
(g) whether Hindus have been granted Minority status in any of the States in the country and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (d) A separate poverty assessment for Minorities has not been done by the Government. The Government implements various schemes for the welfare and upliftment of every section of the society including Minorities. The various schemes being implemented include the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN), Pradhan Mantri UjjwalaYojana (PMUY), Pradhan Mantri AwasYojana (PMAY), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, etc. Also minorities belonging to EWS category can avail the benefit of ten percent reservation in employment and admission in educational institutions.

Further, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has adopted a multi-pronged strategy by way of implementation of various schemes which aim at educational empowerment, employment-oriented skill development, infrastructure support, etc. for the upliftment of living standards of economically weaker & under privileged sections of all notified minorities. The details of the schemes are:

A. Educational Empowerment Schemes:-

(1) Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme - For educational empowerment of students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
(2) Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scheme - Provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance.
(3) Naya Savera - Free Coaching and Allied Scheme - The Scheme aims to provide free coaching to students/candidates belonging to minority communities for qualifying in entrance examinations of technical/ medical professional courses and various Competitive examinations.
(4) Padho Pardesh - Scheme of interest subsidy to students of minority communities on educational loans for overseas higher studies.
(5) Nai Udaan - Support for students clearing Prelims conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), State Public Service Commission (PSC) Staff Selection Commission (SSC) etc.

B. Employment oriented schemes:-

(6) Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) (w.e.f. 2022-23) – The 5 existing schemes of the Ministry namely Seekho aur Kamao (w.e.f. 2013-14), USTTAD (w.e.f. 2014-15), Hamari Dharohar (w.e.f. 2014-15), Nai Roshni (w.e.f. 2012-13) and Nai Manzil (w.e.f. 2016-17) have now been converged into a single scheme known as PM VIKAS. The scheme aims to improve livelihoods of minorities particularly artisan communities through skill development, education, leadership, training support, entrepreneurship interventions, supporting their business by facilitating credit and market linkages and providing new opportunities to brand and sell produce in a widened market base, created by leveraging tourism and trade circuits in the country.
C. Infrastructure Development Programme:-

(7) Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) – The Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), is being implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, with the objective to develop infrastructure projects in identified areas for socio economic development of said areas. The priority sectors under PMJVK are Education, Health, Skill Development, Women Centric projects, etc.

(e) The detail of funds allocated (RE) under the schemes is annexed.
(f) Schemes being implemented by Ministry of Minority Affairs are evaluated from time to time, by independent agencies to find out the impact of the schemes across the country and wherever necessary, further changes in the schemes are carried out so as to make the schemes more efficient in implementation and in effectiveness.
(g) No, Sir.

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