MINORITIES WELFARE

Ministry of Welfare: Annual Report, 1995-96 On Welfare of Minorities

Introduction:

Five communities, namely, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians have been identified as minority at the national level.

Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme has the objective of securing life and property of the minorities. providing special consideration for them in employment and ensuring non-discrimination in development programmes and provision of financial benefits. Points 1 to 7 relate to maintenance of communal harmony and prevention of communal riots including relief and rehabilitation of riot victims. ... The nodal agency for monitoring implementation of programmes relating to Points 1 to 7 is the Ministry of Home Affairs which has issued guidelines to the State Governments from time to time covering all aspects relating to these points.

 Recruitment in Public Employment

The need for increasing the percentage of minorities in recruitment to various State and Central services and for providing representation of minorities in the Selection Boards/Committees for achieving this purpose has been pursued with the concerned agencies. For improving the employability of minorities in public employment and increasing their intake in professional courses, a Pre-examination Coaching Scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Welfare from 1992-93. During the current year, there is a budget provision of Rs. 2 crores for this scheme of which Rs. 6 crore has been released. 32 institutions have been assisted which would cover 1520 candidates for coaching. The progressive achievement under the scheme since inception includes 138 institutions assisted for coaching of 5300 candidates. The performance report received in respect of Pre-examination Coaching being implemented by Ministry of Welfare indicated that the rate of success among the minority candidates was 27.26%.

National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation

The Corporation has so far sanctioned 245 schemes at a total cost of Rs. 106.90 crores. Of this amount, the NMDFC share is Rs. 76. 15 crores till date, the Corporation has disbursed Rs. 31.32 crores covering 11,377 beneficiaries.

Multi Sectoral Plans

Government has approved an area based approach for socio-economic development of minority concentration arcas. In the first phase, 41 districts identified on the basis of 1971 Census would be taken up. Guidelines for preparation of multi sectoral plans have been issued. Financial assistance for preparation of such plans would be provided to the State Governments. These plans would incorporate provision of credit, raw-material, appropriate technology and market support.    

National Commission for Minorities

The 11th Annual Report shall be laid on the Table of both Houses of Parliament during this session. The National Commission for Minorities has made a number of recommendations which are being process.

The Wakf Act 1995

The Wakf Act, 1995 was enacted in the year 1995 and the same was notified for enforcement w.e.f. Ist January, 1996.

On 12th January, 1996, Union Welfare Minister has written to Chief Ministers/Governors etc. to initiate action for implementation of the Wakf Act, 1995. Scheme of Payment of Remuneration of Imams.

A scheme for payment of remuneration to Imams of different kinds of mosques in the country has been filed before the Supreme Court on 2nd January, 1996. Maulana Azad Education Foundation.

The Foundation which is functioning as a Society under the Presidentship of Union Welfare Minister has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 240.90 lakhs to 10 organizations for establishment/construction of residential schools and hostels for girls, Vocational Training Centres for girls and for the purchase of equipment. Punjab Wakf Board.

The Punjab Wakf Board has reported an income of Rs. 6.36 crores during 1994-95. It has a target of raising income to Rs. 6.80 crores during the current financial year.

 Scheme for Development of Urban Wakf Properties

 Under non-Plan scheme of Development of Urban Wakf Properties a provision of Rs. 120 lakhs has been made for the year 1995-96.