GOVERNMENT
Ministry of Welfare: Annual Report, 1994-95 (Extracts)
Welfare of the Minorities
As per direction of the Prime Minister in the review meeting taken by him, Ministry of HRD is carrying out a survey to assess the status of existing educational programmes their spread and relevance among the Muslims with a view of identifying measures which would make them more need based and culture specific. Ministry of Welfare set up an apex financial corporation, namely National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) with an authorized capital of Rs. 500 crores.
During VIII Plan Rs.125 crores have been allocated to the Corporation. By the end of March 1996, the Corporation disbursed Rs. 36.53 crores as loan which will cover 13561 units and 14064 beneficiaries.
The Reserve Bank of India has been requested to identify areas in minority concentration districts where new branches can be opened to augment flow of credit to the minorities. Those sections of minorities which have been included in the OBC list are eligible to take advantages of reservation provisions in the Civil Services and posts under Government of India at par with other OBC Candidates.
Ministry of Welfare has been operating a Scheme of Pre-examination Coaching for weaker sections among minorities and other backward classes to enable them to compete on equal terms with other candidates in competitive examinations for various jobs Rs. 10.00 crores has been earmarked during VIIIth Five-Year Plan for this purpose. Since its inception in 1992-93, the Scheme has covered 132 institutions where 8542 candidates have been coached for various competitive, examinations. A similar scheme is being implemented by University Grants Commission in 21 Universities and 32 Colleges.
The Ministry observed 20.11.1995 as National Integration Day when the officers and staff took collective pledge to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of national integration.
The Minorities Commission has been sanctioned an outlay of Rs. 1.16 crores for 1995-96.
While the erstwhile Minorities Commission has submitted 13 Annual Reports, its 14th Report has been submitted by the statutory commission in February, 1995. The first 11 reports along with action taken memorandum have been laid before Parliament so far.
The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities has so far submitted 31 Annual Reports all of which have been tabled in Parliament.
The organization of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM) has its headquarters at Allahabad with Regional Offices at Calcutta, Belgaum and Madras.
The office of the CLM has been provided a budget allocation of Rs. 38.00 lakhs for 1995-96.
Wakf Administration
The new Wakf Law namely the Wakf Act 1995 has been enforced in the country (except J&K) with effect from 1st January, 1996 and a notification to this effect was published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) dated 27.12.1995.
The Salient Features of the New Wakf Law Namely the Wakf Act, 1995
The new Wakf Law has the following salient
features: -
· Uniform application of the Act throughout the country except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
· A more representative and democratic composition of the Board and a smaller wakf board is contemplated for UTs other than Delhi.
· Strengthening of the finances of the Wakf Board by increasing the contribution of a Wakf from 6% to 7% of its annual income.
· A more broad based composition of the Central Wakf Council.
· Making Chief Executive Officer subordinate to the Wakf Board in most matters.
· Appointment of Executive Officer for Walfs not doing satisfactorily and having an annual income of Rs. 5 lakhs and more.
· Making alienation of wakf property in general more difficult and prohibiting the alienation of wakf properties of religious character except in accordance with the Law.
· Doing away with the period of limitation for filling a suit for recovery of wakf properties in adverse possessions.
· Restricting the period of initial supersession of a Wakf Board to six months or less.
· Simplifying the procedure relating to Budget and auditing of the accounts of a Wakf.
· Provisions for quick removal of encroachments from wakf properties.
· Curb on the powers of the mutawallis in the matter of of leasing the wakf properties etc.
·
Supreme Court's Decision Regarding Payment Remuneration to Imams
The Supreme Court delivered a judgement in this case on 13.5.1993 and directed the Central Government and the Central Wakf Council to frame, within a period of 6 months from the date of judgement, a scheme for mosques in the country taking the salary structure payment or remuneration to Imams of different kinds of prevailing in Punjab Wakf Board as a model.
A High-Power Committee was, therefore, constituted under the Chairmanship of Union Welfare Minister which held five meetings. At the meeting, held urgency of framing a scheme even in the absence of on 13th December, 1995 the Committee noted the complete date in the light of the Supreme Court's order granting extension of time upto 31st December, 1995 only. A small committee under the Chairmanship of Shri Aslam Sher Khan MCS(W&PMO) was constituted to draft the scheme. The scheme as drafted by the Committee considered and approved by the Central Wakf Council and thereafter it was filed in the Supreme Court.
Maulana Azad Education Foundation
Maulana Azad Education Foundation was set up on 6th July 1989 as a registered society by the Central Wakf Council. The Union Minister of Welfare is the President of the Foundation. The general management and affairs of the Foundation now vest in a Working Committee consisting of
1. Executive Vice President
2. Treasurer
3. 3.Two other persons elected by the Foundation from take comprehensive measures for bringing economic amongst its own members
4. Secretary of the Foundation, Ex-officio.
During the year 1992-93, the Foundation was given a grant-in-aid of Rs. 5 crores which was to form its 'Corpus Fund'.
The Foundation was given a further grant-in-aid of Rs. 25.01 crores in 1994-95 and released on 30th March 1995...
The expanded activities of the Foundation have the following thrust areas: -
1. Assisting Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in setting up or strengthening of residential schools,
2. preferably for girls, in low literacy pockets, slum and rural areas.
3. Setting up of chairs in selected Indian and foreign universities in the name of Maulana Azad to promote research into his contribution as a great freedom fighter and educationist.
4. Instituting an International Award of Rs. 15 lakhs to be given to an eminent person for promoting amity amongst individuals and peace among nations.
During the year 1995-96, the Foundation sanctioned a total grant-in-aid of Rs. 373.22 lakhs to 22 NGOs out of which Rs. 102.70 lakhs was released to 10 NGOs for the purpose of establishing a residential school/school for girls, construction of laboratories building, establishing a computer centre and women typing centers, purchase of computers and equipment’s etc.
Central Wakf Council
The budgetary provisions for the grant-in-aid to the Central Wakf Council for the year 1995-96 was Rs. 120 lakhs. Total grant utilized for the 1995-96 was Rs. 140 lakhs... for loans to 10 projects, 8 in Karnataka, 1 in Orissa and 1 in Maharashtra.
The Council also gives loan for minor projects up to Rs. 10 lakhs from "Revolving Fund". During the 1995- 96, the Council has given Rs. 30.60 lakhs out of this Fund to 10 minor projects-4 in Karnataka, 1 in Kerala, 4 in Madhya Pradesh and I in Orissa.
Welfare Activities: The Central Wakf Council continued its welfare activities in the field of education.
The expenditure for 1995-96 for the educational activities was Rs.41.24 lakhs.
PM Deve Gowda's Addresses to the Nation
1- 16 June, 1996
The vastness of our country, its diversity and our underlying unity are all reflected in this coalition of political parties. The United Front is not just a coalition to share power. It is also the beginning of a new way of governance a governance based on federalism, the democratic spirit is at the foundation of this decentralization, equality and justice. Secular outlook and coalition. My Government represents the empowerment of the downtrodden, empowerment of the SCs and STS and OBC. We want to enhance their dignity and self- confidence to get their due share in the society. I shall strive to ensure that the Central and the State Government freedom, educational equality and equal opportunities to these people. My government will spare no efforts to guarantee that minorities live without fear and as equal partners in the country's progress.
The election to Parliament from J&K is a triumph for our democratic polity. It also shows the maturity of the people in rejecting militants including those inspired and abetted from across the borders. Building up on these positive developments, we shall complete the task of restoration of normalcy and popular Government in J&K.
II-15 August, 1996 (Extracts)
The beauty of national unity is that it is not only geographical or historical, but is based upon the firm conviction that this nation belongs to all its people and is plural and secular in character. Those who dwell within this great land, whatever may be their creed or color, whatever may be their religion, they all belong to this country. They are all Indians. This is our heritage, this is our history and this is our civilization.
Whenever we surrendered this oneness, which is based on the principles of pluralism and secularism and resorted to fanaticism, our country suffered and declined. The greatest need now, as in the past, is to foster tolerance and goodwill among all our countrymen.
The Government will take all steps to ensure that harmonious relations are maintained between different communities and groups. We are committed to protect the lives and property of all the people, particularly the weaker sections and the minorities.
J&K is an integral part of India and will remain so for even. The people of J&K are our own people. They are Indians. This situation prevails from centuries. You are aware that the problems in J&K are entirely those created by external forces. There should be no doubt in any quarter about our resolve to preserve the territorial integrity of India. We are holding the Assembly elections in the state during the next month. We will complete the task of restoration of normalcy and return of a popular Government in J&K.
We have already announced our plan to reserve 1/3rd of the seats in the State Legislatures and the Parliament for women. A similar initiative to reserve 1/3 of the posts for women in Government is also under consideration.
