The approach of the Government has led to Minorities being equal partners with other communities, in the educational & socio-economic development of the country—Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

The Government is working with commitment to ensure Development with Dignity, Empowerment without Discrimination, which has ensured prosperity in life of weaker and other needy sections of the society including Minorities. This approach of the Government  has led to Minorities being equal partners with other communities, in the educational & socio-economic development of the country. No such report received in the Ministry to suggest that certain groups are making organised efforts to spread distrust and misconceptions among minorities.

The Government is committed to all round development of all segments of society including minorities through programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana(PMMY), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, etc.

Ministry of Minority Affairs  also implements programmes/schemes for  the welfare  and  development of  the six (6) centrally notified minority communities namely, Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Muslims, Parsis and Sikhs as under:-

(1) Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme – For educational empowerment of students, through  Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

(2) Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scheme – Provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance.

(3) Naya Savera – Free Coaching and Allied Scheme – The Scheme aims to provide free   coaching to students/candidates belonging to  economically weaker sections of minority communities for preparation of entrance examinations of technical/ professional courses and competitive examinations.

(4) Padho Pardesh – Scheme of interest subsidy to students of economically weaker sections of minority communities  on  educational loans for overseas higher studies.

(5) Nai Udaan – Support for students clearing Prelims conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), State Public Service Commission (SPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) etc.

(6) Nai Roshni – Leadership development of women belonging to minority

communities.

 

(7) Seekho Aur Kamao – Skill development scheme for youth of 14 – 35 years age group and aiming at improving the employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc.

 

(8)  Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) – Implemented for the benefit of the people from all sections of the society  in identified Areas for development of infrastructure projects with emphasis  on education, skill , health sectors etc.

(9)   Jiyo Parsi – Scheme for containing population decline of Parsis in India.

(10)USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for    Development) – Launched in May 2015 aims to preserve rich heritage of traditional skills of indigenous artisans/craftsmen.  Under this scheme Hunnar Haats are also held all over the country to provide nation-wide marketing platform to Minority artisans & entrepreneurs and to create employment opportunities.

(11) Nai Manzil – A scheme for formal school education & skilling of school dropouts

launched in  Aug. 2015.

 

(12) Hamari Dharohar- A scheme to preserve rich heritage of minority communities

of India.

(13) Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) implements education and employment oriented skill related programmes as follows (a) Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Meritorious Girls belonging to the economically weaker sections of Minorities (b) Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme started in 2017-18 for providing short term job oriented skill development training to youth. (c) Bridge Course for madarsa students & school dropouts.

(14)  Equity to National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) for providing concessional loans to minorities for self-employment and income generating ventures.

In addition to the above, the Ministry also implements schemes for strengthening State Waqf Boards and coordinates arrangements for annual Haj pilgrimage.

Details of the schemes mentioned at serial No (1) to (12) are available on the website of this Ministry ( www.minorityaffairs.gov.in) and those at serial No. 13 and 14 are available on the website of MAEF (www.maef.nic.in) and NMDFC                  (www.nmdfc.org.).

Most of the socio economic and educational empowerment schemes and programmes of the Central Government are meant for the socio economically poor and deprived sections of the society, including the six notified minorities, who are getting benefitted. However, data regarding number of persons of minority communities brought above poverty line in the country is not maintained in the Ministry.

Scheme-wise details of expenditure since 2015-16 to 2019-20
S. No.	Scheme	Expenditure (In Rs.Crores )
A.1	EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT –
1	Pre-Matric Scholarship	5210.82
2	Post-Matric Scholarship	2103.32
3	Merit-cum-Means	1471.13
4	Maulana Azad National Fellowship	498.16
5	Interest subsidy on educational loans on overseas studies	84.58
6	Free Coaching and Allied schemes	189.04
7	Support for students clearing Prelims- UPSC	28.89
A.2	ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT –
8	Skill Development Initiative	947.96
9	USTTAD (Hunar Haat)	144.21
10	Nai Manzil (skill to 8th to 10th)	339.87
11	Equity of NMDFC	755.00
A.3	SPECIAL INITATIVES FOR EMPOWERMENT
12	Leadership development of Minority Women	65.86
13	Scheme for Containing Population Decline of Small Minority community	13.58
14	Hamari Dharohar –	19.48
15	Research/ Studies, Monitoring, Evaluation and  Publicity	174.40
B.	AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
16	Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram	6255.53
C.	SUPPORT TO INSTITUTIONS
17	Maulana Azad Education Foundation –	412.50
18	Grants to SCAs of NMDFC –	7.50
19	Quami Waqf Board Tariquatti Scheme	49.09
20	Sahari Waqf Sampati Vikas Yojana	14.93

 

This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi  in the Lok Sabha  today.