National Minority Development Finance Corporation (NMDFC) - Equity Contribution:

NMDFC was set up in 1994 as an apex financial corporation with an authorised share capital of Rs. 500 crores with an objective to promote self-employment activities through providing concessional financial assistance to the minorities with a special focus on women and backward sections. The equity capital contribution by the government has been raised to 60 per cent in December, 1997 from 25 per cent.

Multi-sectoral Plans to Minority Concentration Districts:

This scheme was launched in 1995-96 at 41 minority concentrated districts with the objective of tackling the problems of minorities through identification of requirements like credit, marketing, training, technological support etc. so as to enable them to increase their income level.

Pre-Examination Coaching for Weaker Sections based on Economic Criteria among the Minorities and Other Backward Classes:

This scheme has been under implementation from 1992-93 with the objective of providing coaching in various subjects to those candidates whose annual family income does not exceed Rs.24,000/- for competing in the different competitive examinations.

Maulana Azad Education Foundation:

This Foundation has been set up as a Society for the purpose of promoting education amongst the educationally backward sections of the minorities. In 1992-93, government has provided Rs. 5 crores as Corpus Fund to the Foundation for various activities.

Relief to Riot Victims of the Minorities:

This scheme has been proposed by the Ministry of the Social Justice and Empowerment to implement from the Annual Plan 1997-98 onwards with the aim to grant ex-gratio payment to the victims of the minorities affected by the riots in the country.

The Scheme-wise Outlays (1996-97 to 1998-99) are given below:

S.No. Scheme                                                                                   (Rs.in crores)                                                    Annual Plan   Annual Plan    Annual Plan    1996-97          1997-98 1998-99

A. Centrally Sponsored Scheme:

1. National Minorities Development

Finance Corporation (Equity Contribution)                  36.00               41.00                41.00

2. Multi Sectoral Plans for Minority

 Concentration Districts                                                   0.50                46.28                6.46

3.Pre-Examination Coaching                                           2.00                2.50                 2.00

4.Relief to Riot Victims                                                         -                    -                  10.00

B. Central Sector Scheme:

1.Maulana Azad Education Foundation                               0.01       40.00        30.00                                                                                                 (Ist Contribution) (Central)                                                                                                                                 Total                                                                                     38.51     89.78         89.46

Government Statements On Welfare of Minorities

15-Points programme for the Welfare of Minorities is being implemented throughout the country. As a part of monitoring process, State/UT Governments are required to submit half yearly reports to Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Government remind defaulting States/UTs from time to time. The review of implementation is done at state level by the Chief

Minister/Chief Secretary and at district level by District Magistrate/Collector.

(Source: LSUQ No. 6035 dated 28 July, 1998 by G.M. Banatwalla)

On Deletion of Religion Based Class

The National Commission for Minorities (has proposed) the deletion of the religion based clause from the Presidential Order of 1950 on SC/ST. The Commission ... L made this recommendation in (its) Annual Report for 1997-98 which is under examination.

(Source: LSUQ No. 5976 dated 28 July, 1998 by N: Dennis)