(a) the current status of 15 point programme formulated for the welfare of minorities;
(b) whether any district level committee related to this programme is functioning in the country;
(c) If so, the details thereof and whether any review has been conducted regarding the working of
district level committee under 15 point programme;
(d) If so, whether the Government has initiated any further measures to make these committees more
effective; and
(e) If so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SALMAN KHURSHID)
(a)to (c) The Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities was launched in June,
2006. It envisages location of certain proportion of development projects in minority concentration areas.
It provides that, wherever possible, 15% of targets and outlays under various schemes should be earmarked
for minorities. State-wise targets for schemes included in the programme which are amenable to earmarking
for minorities are fixed every year. As provided in the programme, 24 State Governments/Union Territory
Administrations have constituted State and District Level Committees under the Prime Minister’s New 15
Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities and the progress of implementation is reviewed by the
Committees. At the Central level, the progress of implementation is reviewed on half-yearly basis
by a Committee of Secretaries and then reported to the Union Cabinet.
(d) and (e)To make the State and District Level Committees more effective, the Government has now amended
the guidelines of the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities to include
Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) in these Committees. The
amended guidelines are available on the Ministry’s website: www.minorityaffairs.gov.in