Question : DEVELOPMENT OF MINORITIES

(a) the steps are being tae towards the welfare of Minorities according to Prime Minister’s new 15 Point Programme;

(b) the details of recommendations of Working Group on ‘Empowering the Minorities’ for the Eleventh Plan set up by the Planning Commission for educational, social and economic development of minorities would be considered and included in the plan;

(c) whether any special provision would be made for minority community people living below poverty line;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has any data of the minority population living below poverty line;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the steps being taken by the Government for upliftment of BPL minority and progress in the day to day life during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (A.R. ANTULAY)

(a)to(g) : The Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for Welfare of minorities envisages enhancing opportunities for education, equitable share in economic activities and employment, improving the conditions of living of minorities and prevention and control of communal riots. It also provides for earmarking of 15% of outlays and targets for schemes which are amenable to targeting. The targets for 2006-07 were fixed and the progress of the scheme is being monitored closely.

The Working Group on “Empowering the Minorities” has considered schemes and programmes for the Eleventh Plan for Educational, social and economic development of minorities and has submitted its recommendations to the Planning Commission for inclusion in the Eleventh Five Year Plan. The Eleventh Plan has not been finalised.

The Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities includes schemes, which target those living below the poverty line.

A statement showing the percentages of urban and rural minority community population living below the poverty line in major States is annexed.