(a) the population of minority communities in the country, State and community-wise;
(b) whether the Government is aware of the problems faced by them;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
(d) whether the Government has introduced/proposes to introduce any scheme for the benefit of these communities and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFARIS (DR. NAJMA A. HEPTULLA)
(a) to (d). A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.131 for answer on 4th March, 2015 asked by Shrimati Anupriya Patel regarding “Schemes For Minority Communities”.
The population of minority communities in the country, State and community-wise as per Census 2001 is at Annexure I.
It has been Government’s endeavour to understand the problems faced by the minority communities and towards this end it unde- rtakes studies, Commissions’ Reports from experts etc. Such studies, Reports etc are undertaken for different minority Commu- nities. Based on the information gathered, revision to the Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme for the Minorities was announced in 2005 and this is being amended from time to time to reflect new findings. Accordingly, the Prime Minsiter’s 15 Point Programme was renamed Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme in 2009 to reflect changes.
A High Level Committee was constituted in 2005 to specifically focus on the problem faced by Muslims under the Chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Rajinder Sachar. In its report, the Committee has indicated that the Muslim community lags behind the main stream in social , economic and educational sectors. Salient findings of the committee, which include the reasons for back- wardness, are available on the website of this ministry at www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.
The Status on the follow up action on on the recommendation accepted by Government reported by Ministries/Departments is available on the website of this Ministry at www.minorityaffairs. gov.in.
The Government had constituted the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities (NCRLM) to suggest inter- alia criteria for identification of socially and economically backward sections among religious and linguistic minorities (including Buddhists) and to recommend measures for their welfare, including reservation in education and government employment all over the country including Uttar Pradesh. The report of the NCRLM was tabled in the Lok Sabha on 18.12.2009. The report of NCRLM is available on the website of this Ministry at www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.
The details of schemes implemented by this Ministry for the bene- fit of Minority Communities are at Annexure II.
The Finance Minister in his Budget Speech on 28th February, 2015 announced the launching of the scheme “Nai Manzil”. The scheme will enhance sustainable inclusive learning through mainstream formal education and skill certification for the School / Madarsa dropouts from the minority communities. The Scheme would also provide bridge courses to Madarsa educated youths to enable them to seek higher education.