SITUATION REPORT

Proposal for the Socio-economic & Educational

Advancement of Minorities in Andhra Pradesh

Submitted to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

by Zahid Ali Khan, Editor, "Siyasat Urdu Daily", Hyderabad

Executive Summary

The population proportion of minorities is quite. considerable in the State in general and in its urban areas in particular. This has got, among other things, important repercussions for the quality of the functioning of democratic institutions in the State. However, this v) important segment of population is backward on all fronts. If this unfortunate state of affairs is allowed to continue unabated, the overall process of the development of the State would be seriously retarded. The proposed Package would be instrumental in not only ameliorating the lot of minorities, but also in enabling them to contribute their optimum best for the prosperity of the state. Following are the specific recommendations out of the Package.

      I.         The A.P. State Minorities Finance Corporation may be sanctioned an annual of Rs. 5.00 crores, allowed to borrow Rs. 5.00 crores on differential rate of interest from various sources, get the facility of refinancing of its loans by IDBI/SIDBI, extend the facility of subsidy to its beneficiaries, and provide them counselling, guidance and escort services instead of confining itself to mere sanction of margin money. 

    II.         The Government may sanction an amount of Rs.1.00 crore as grant-in-aid to A.P. State Wakf Board, bring out a State Wakf Legislation with necessary judicial and executive powers to Wakf Commissioner, and establish a Wakf Development Corporation with a share capital of Rs. 5.00 crores for the effective preservation and development of Wakf Institutions. 

  III.         The Government may enhance the grant of AP. Urdu Academy to Rs.. 75.00 lakh, treat its employees on par with Government employees. accord statutory status to A.P. Minorities Commission, enhance its plan budget to Rs. 2.5 crores for enabling it to take up schemes for minorities welfare on a larger scale, establish Directorate for Minorities Affairs, and revitalize the Dairat-ul-Maarif, Osmania University by enhancing its annual grant-in-aid to Rs. 25.00 lakhs, and treating its employees on par with their counter- parts in Osmania University in order to consolidate the functioning of these institutions in the interest of minorities welfare.

  IV.         Government may constitute a High Power Consultative Committee or the effective implementation of Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme for Minorities Welfare. To start with, the programme may be implemented in the areas of minority concentration to be identified for this purpose. 

    V.         For improving the participation and performance of minorities in different competitive examinations, the Government may establish a Centre with good infrastructure for imparting coaching in competitive examinations, include a representative of minorities on selection committees, appoint two minority members on A.P. Public Service Commission, and permit the candidates to write all competitive examinations conducted by APPSC in Urdu. The Government may initiate special measures for rectifying the present position of low share of minorities in the recruitments for Police Force and also reposting of some of the minority officers in the law and order wings of the Police Department. 

  VI.         In view of the widespread socio-economic and educational backwardness of minority women in general and their Muslim counterparts in particular, the Government may constitute a Minority Women Cooperative Finance Corporation with a share capital of Rs. 1.00 crore.

VII.         The Government may include the weaker sections among minorities in the list of Backward Classes on the lines of the existing pattern in the neighboring States. The Government may vigorously pursue the case pending in the court relating to the inclusion of Muslims in backward classes. The Government may bring down the eligibility marks to 20% for the admission of minority students in the professional and technical courses offered by educational institutions established by minorities.

VIII.         The Government may issue a comprehensive G.O. which is in keeping with the educational rights guaranteed to minorities by the Constitution and also with the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.

  IX.        The Government may implement the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-committee on Minorities under the Chairmanship of Mr. P. Ramachandra Reddy relating to Urdu and Urdu- medium schools as early as possible. 

    X.         The Government may issue necessary instructions to Telugu and English medium schools to offer Urdu as second language in place of Special English.

  XI.         The Government of Andhra Pradesh may coordinate with the Central Government for procuring funds for strengthening and diversifying the activities of A.P. State Minorities Finance Corporation, A.P. Wakf Board, A.P. Urdu. Academy, A.P. Minorities Commission etc.

 It is expected that the present Government which had demonstrated its concern for the welfare of minorities by initiating a series of measures for their welfare will consider the proposals with sympathy. A challenging job, requiring meticulous planning and efficient execution it is worth taking up as the rewards are expected to be equally magnificent.