Question : TASK FORCE ON CIVIC NEEDS OF MINORITY COMMUNITY

(a) whether the government has set up a high level inter-Ministerial task force to look into the civic needs of the minority communities in towns and cities where they live in large numbers;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the time fixed for task force to submit its report to the Government;

(d) whether the government has identified the cities and towns where the civic needs of the minorities are to be addressed;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) the areas likely to be covered by the task force in the name of civic amenities;

(g) whether tasks force has been asked to review the existing scheme, flow of funds to these towns;

(h) if so, the details thereof; and

(i) the steps taken or being taken by the government to get the report of the task force for early implementation?

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

(a)to(i) : Yes, Sir. The terms of reference of the inter-Ministerial Task Force o implications of the geographical distribution of minorities in India constituted on 2.3.2007 are as under:-

(1) To identify towns / cities having a substantial concentration of minority population requiring special attention ;

(2) To formulate the approach for multi-sectoral plan for provision of basic civic amenities such as housing, schools and educational facilities, health facilities and employment opportunities for urban localities having a substantial concentration of minority population, within such towns/ cities.

(3) To identify existing schemes/programmes from which funds could be channelized to such localities for implementation of multi-sectoral plans;

(4) To suggest special schemes for funding the resource gap of projects included in the multi-sectoral plan and also for funding specific projects which are not covered under any of the existing scheme/ programme.

The Task Force is expected to submit its report within a period of three months.