Introduction

As per 1991 census, the population of minorities in Andhra Pradesh is about 72 lakhs which constitutes over 11% of the total population of the State. The population of minorities is urban-based, they constitute about 9 per cent in the rural areas, but as high as over 22 per cent in the urban areas. However, a large segment of minority population is living below poverty line. Their share of minorities in different economic support schemes has been very low as against their population proportion. The minorities in general and their women counterparts in particular have been highly backward, both educationally and economically. As a result, they have been caught in the vicious circle of poverty, ignorance, and ill-health. The main problems of minorities can be listed under the following major heads :-

i) Economic Development

ii) Women Development

iii) Educational Development

iv) Protection and Development of Wakf Properties

v) Protection and Development of Urdu Language

vi) Social and Cultural Development; and

vii) Removing the Sense of Discrimination

In order to give an exclusive attention to the problems of minorities and to find solutions to them in a coordinated fashion Government have announced a Policy for Advancement of Minorities in February 1996 and implementing various schemes to ameliorate the lot of minorities on the above major heads.

The Minorities Welfare Department was constituted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh vide G.O.Ms. NO. 582, G.A. (AR&T Desk) Department, dated: 2.11.1993 in order to give an exclusive attention to the problems of minorities and to find solutions to them in a coordinated fashion. As per the G.O., the following institutions are under the administrative contro! of the Department :-

1. A.P. State Minorities Finance Corporation

2. A.P. Minorities Commission

3. A.P. State Wakf Board

4. A.P. Urdu Academy

5. Commissionerate of Minorities Welfare

6. Commissioner, Wakf Survey

7. A.P. State Wakf Tribunal

The A.P. Legislative Assembly in its 10th session on 24.2.1997 have held short discussion on minorities problems and Wakf properties.

The items came up for discussions and the replies given by the Chief Minister are highlighted as follows:

1. Government have issued orders for 10 per cent representation for minorities in Housing.

2. Orders issued for 10 per cent representation for minorities in Economic Support schemes.

3. A Muslim Vice-Chancellor has been appointed for Ambedkar Open University.

4. A Wakf Tribunal has been established.

5. Encroachments in Wakf properties is removed and action is in progress for other institutions also.

6. Urdu has been declared as second official language in (8) districts of the State and representations are under considerations for Urdu as second official language in the remaining districts.

7. A large number of posts of Urdu teachers recruited by reducing the qualifying marks.

8. 3 ITIs have been established for the minority students at Punuganur in Chittoor Distt., Bodhan in Nizamabad and Cuddapah with 30% reservation for girls.

9. 3 Polytechnics have been established for the minority students at Kunool (for boys), Vikharabad in R.R. Distt. (for girls) and Tenali in Guntur Distt. (for boys).

10. 4 Urdu Residential Schools at Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Kurnool and Guntur have been upgraded as Junior Colleges.

11. 4 new Urdu Residential schools at Ranga Reddy. Medak, Cuddapah and Nalgonda (English medium with II Language Urdu) have been established for the minorities.

12. The draft Bill for providing statutory status to A.P. Minorities Commission has been recommended for the assent of the Hon'ble President of India for its clearance.

13. Orders issued for one minority representative in the selection panel of various departments Government constituted a Legislative Committee for the welfare of minorities.

14. A new Demand for the budget exclusively for Minorities Welfare Department has been opened.

15. Orders issued in enhancing the criteria for the margin money loan by A.P. State Minorities Finance Corporation has been increased from Rs.11,000/- to Rs.24,000/- under Anti-Poverty Programme and Self- Employment Programme.

16. Direct loaning facilities for small units being provided.

17. The matter regarding inclusion of minorities in B.Cs is under consideration before Puttuswamy Commission.

18. Financial assistance sanctioned to Unani College, Kurnool.

19. A scheme called DOMUA on the lines of DWACRA is implemented for the development of minorities in urban areas.

20. Financial assistance provided for repairs, maintenance and protection of Wakf institutions.

21. Almost all cases under TADA have been withdrawn.

22. The Distt. Minority Welfare Officers are working with full-fledged staff in 8 districts.

23. Orders issued for exemption of corpus fund for establishment of Urdu Schools.

24. Appointment of Urdu Translators is under examination.

25. Construction of Shadikhanas is in progress in a phased manner duly providing sufficient funds for execution of work at Mandal and district level.

26. Orders have been issued for 3 per cent reservation to the minorities in B.C. Hostels out of the 10 per cent quota earmarked for other communities

27. 200 acres of land is provided for establishment of Moulana Abul Kalam Azad National Urdu University at Hyderabad near Manikonda (V), Rajendranagar (M)

28. Removing of anomalies in G.Os governing to minority educational institutions actively under consideration by the Government.

29. The work of reconciliation of Wakf and revenue records is in progress. The matter has been discussed in the District Collector's Conference for early completion of works.

30. The Government have decided to nominate minorities to various posts in all discretionary appointments.

31. Integrated development of minorities in old city of Hyderabad is also implemented through A.P. State Minorities Finance Corporation

32. Enhanced the salaries of Pesh Imam, Mauzan, Superintendent and other employees of Macca Masjid and Public Gardens Mosques.

33. The Minorities Welfare Department is implementing schemes with a sum of Rs. 93.78 lakhs under Non- Plan and Rs.2837.00 lakhs under Plan with a grand total of Rs.29,30,78,000/- during 1998-99.

34. In the country A.P. State is the first State which constituted A.P. State Wakf Board as per the Wakf Act 1995 (Central).

35. The report of the House Committee constituted for the Wakf properties is receiving attention of the Government for implementation on the recommendations.

From the Plan budget of Rs. 2837.00 lakhs the Minorities Welfare Department is implementing all the On- going Plan schemes of minorities welfare, the Government proposes to launch few more innovative schemes for the welfare of poorest of poor among minorities, which would include, inter alia, assistance to voluntary organisations for conducting health camps, educational rehabilitation of minority destitute women, orphans and child labour, etc. ...