Year End Review
The Ministry of Minority Affairs was created on 29th January,
2006 to ensure a focused approach to the issues relating to the minorities
and to play a pivotal role in the over all policy,
planning, coordination, evaluation and review of the regulatory and
development programme for the benefit of the minority communities. the Ministry
is making concerted efforts to stream line ongoing programmes/schemes and
to launch innovative and effective schemes/programmes for the welfare of the
minority communities.
Schemes/Programmes
Maulana Azad
Education Foundation(MAEF)
The corpus fund of the
Foundation, which stood at Rs. 100 crores, received by MAEF over a period
of 15 years, was doubled to Rs. 200 crores in one stroke in December, 2006.
In 2007-08, the corpus was increased by Rs. 50 crores. An evaluation study was entrusted to the Organization
Research Group (ORG) to assess the impact of the schemes of the Foundation.
The study has commented positively on the impact made by the schemes of the
Foundation At present, the Maulana Azad Education Foundation is providing
grant-in-aid under the following Schemes :
(i) Financial assistance to
establish/expand schools/residential
schools/colleges;
(ii) Financial assistance
for purchase of laboratory equipment
and furniture etc.;
(iii) Financial assistance
for setting up/strengthening
vocational/technical training centres /institutes;
(iv) Financial assistance
for construction of hostel buildings;
(v) Maulana Azad National scholarships for meritorious girl students;
(vi)Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Literacy Awards.
To ensure proper utilization of funds and efficiency in its functioning,
the MAEF has been instructed to formulate a transparent and data based allocation
of grants-in-aid and equitable distribution of resources across States and
to give priority to applicants from identified Minority Concentration Districts
(MCDs).
National Minorities
Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC)
The share capital of the
corporation has been raised from Rs.650 to Rs.750 crores during the year 2007-08.
It has been raised to Rs. 850 crore in 2008-09An Expert Committee of Professional
Bankers and financial experts has examined the functioning of NMDFC and submitted
its recommendations for restructuring of the corporation so as to expand its
ambit of activities by inclusion of Public-Private participation.
Cabinet has also approved ‘in principle’ for restructuring of NMDFC
by converting from a section 25 Company to a non-deposit taking Non-Banking
Finance Company (NBFC). It can then be a holding company for Minority Partnership
(MP) and National Waqf Development Agency (NWDA), both of which will also
be registered as NBFCs.
The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) Pavilion
at Hall No.18 in the India International Trade Fair – 2008, organized at
Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 14th
to 27th November this year has bagged Gold Medal for “Excellence in Presentation of Special Display in Textiles
and Garments”.
NMDFC, an Autonomous Body under the aegis of Ministry of Minority Affairs
has been participating in the IITF for the last 6 years. This year also participation
of NMDFC was partnered by its SCAs and NGOs spread over the entire country.
A total number of 67 NGOs/SHGs took part in the NMDFC’s pavilion spread
over an area of 501 Sq. meters in the Hall No. 18.
In all products of over 3,000 artisans of minority communities were
on display covering products like Textiles & Garments, Artificial Jewellery,
Carpets, Wall Hangings,Toys etc. The
participation in this prestigious fair is done in order to provide a platform
to the target group of NMDFC for selling their products and developing marketing
linkages with domestic as well as international buyers. NMDFC extends loans at very low rate of interest
to its targeted beneficiaries comprising of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs Buddhists
& Parsis, living below double the poverty line, through its State Channelizing
Agencies (SCAs) and reputed NGOs. NMDFC provides small loans ranging from
Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 5.0 Lakhs, for Income Generating Activities.
As per the information of India
Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), there
were total 5,000 stalls in the IITF
– 2008. 38 countries participated in the fair and people from 95 countries
visited the fair this year.
A.Lending Schemes
(i) Term Loan Scheme; (ii) Margin Money Loan Scheme; (iii) Educational
Loan Scheme; (iv) Micro Financing Scheme;(v)
Interest Free Loan for Promoting of SHGs; (vi) Mahila Samridhi Yojna;
B.Promotional
Schemes
(vi) Vocational Training; (vii) Marketing Assistance to craft persons; (viii)
Assistance for design
development/skill upgradation
Applications forms can be obtained from the Managing Director, National
Minorities Development & Finance Corporation, Scope Minar, Laxmi Nagar
District Centre, Delhi-110092 or can be downloaded from www.nmdfc.org..
The National Minorities
Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) operates through State Channelising
Agencies (SCAs). These SCAs suffer
from lack of infrastructure, manpower and resources to carry out their activities
effectively. The Ministry has, therefore, launched a grant-in-aid scheme to
provide financial assistance to SCAs to strengthen their capabilities and
operations. Meanwhile, the Ministry has also started a scheme for Grants-in-Aid
to the SCAs (State Channelizing Agencies) for strengthening their infrastructure.
Rs. 10 crore was released in 2007-08 and Rsw.2.30 crore are to be released
during the year 2008-09
Merit-cum-means
scholarships for professional & technical courses
Scholarships are being provided to students
from the minority communities, who fulfill the eligibility criteria of merit
and means for pursuing professional and technical courses, at under-graduate
and post-graduate levels, in institutions recognized by an appropriate authority.
20,000 scholarships are proposed to be awarded every year. 30% of the scholarships are earmarked for girl
students. The course fees of students studying in 70 institutes listed in
the scheme are reimbursed in fully.
Students studying in other institutes will be entitled course fee re-imbursement
upto Rs.20,000 per annum. The scheme is expected to be an effective instrument
of empowerment and mainstreaming of the minority communities. 17,258
scholarships were sanctioned to 28 States/UTs for 2007-08 of which
29.02 % went girl students. About 40,000 scholarships will be awarded in 2008-09.
For this a budget provision of
Rs.125 crore has been made. Proposals received from States are being
processed. The schemes including format are available in the website http://minorityaffairs.gov.in/newsite/index.asp.
4253 scholarships have been sanctioned till now for 2008-09.
Multi-sectoral
development programme for the minorities in selected minority concentration
districts
A multi-sectoral development programme has been
launched in ninety identified minority concentration districts which are lagging
behind in terms of critical socio-economic and basic amenities parameters
and require focused attention and specific programme intervention. The programme
aims at improving the quality of life of the people and reducing imbalances
in line with the priority attached to inclusive growth. Identified ‘development
deficits’ in education, sanitation, pucca housing, drinking water, electricity
supply etc and absolutely critical infrastructure linkages like basic health
infrastructure, ICDS centres, skill development and marketing facilities would be addressed through this programme.
The identified development deficits would either be filled by topping
the funds of ongoing schemes/programmes of the Central Government
or projects proposed by State Governments which are not catered by
the existing centrally sponsored scheme. The focus of this programme will
be on rural and semi-rural areas of the identified 90 minority concentration
districts. The details of the scheme are available in the
Ministry’s website www.minorityaffairs.gov.in
Post-matric scholarship for the minorities
A centrally sponsored scheme of
post-matric scholarship for students belonging to the minority communities for
studies from class-XI upto Ph.D degree in
schools/colleges/institutes/universities recognized by an appropriate authority
has been implemented from 2007-08. It is
proposed to award a total of 15 lakh scholarships during the Eleventh Five Year
Plan period (2007-12). 30% of these scholarships are earmarked for girl
students. The scheme is being implemented through the State Governments/Union
Territory Administrations. 56,742 scholarships was sanctioned in 29 States/UTs
for 2007-08; 56.69% for girl students. During 2008-09 as on date 21977 scholarships have been awarded
Pre-Matric
scholarship for minorities
A pre-matric scholarship scheme for students belonging to the minority
communities for studies from class-I to class-X in schools/institutes recognized by an appropriate authority has been
implemented from 2008-09. 30% of the scholarships are earmarked for girl students.
It is proposed to grant a total number of 25 lakh scholarships during the
Eleventh Five Year Plan period (2007-12).
The Scheme will be implemented through the State Governments/Union
Territory Administrations. During 2008-09
(as on date) 173424 scholarships have been awarded in 11 States/UTs.
Prime Minister’s
New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities
Prime Minister’s New 15 Point
Programme for the Welfare of Minorities was announced in June, 2006.
The objectives of the programme are (a)
Enhancing opportunities for education (b) Ensuring an equitable share for minorities
in economic activities and employment, through existing and new schemes,
enhanced credit support for self-employment, and recruitment to State and
Central Government jobs (c) improving the conditions of living of minorities by
ensuring an appropriate share for them in infrastructure development schemes
(d) Prevention and control of communal disharmony and violence.
An important aim of the new programme is to
ensure that the benefits of various government schemes for the underprivileged
reach the disadvantaged sections of the minority communities. In order to ensure that the benefits of these
schemes flow equitably to the minorities, the new programme envisages location
of a certain proportion of development projects in minority concentration areas. It also provides that, wherever possible, 15%
of targets and outlays under various schemes should be earmarked for the
minorities.
Some of the notable
achievements made during 2006-07 and 2007-08 and the targets fixed for 2008-09
are given below:-
(i) Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), 961
primary schools were constructed in 2006-07 in minority concentration areas and
this has now increased to 2008 in 2007-08. In respect of new upper primary
schools, 1,114 were opened in such areas during 2006-07. This increased to
3,001 during 2007-08. Similarly, the number of Kasturba Gandhi Balika
Vidyalayas (KGBV) sanctioned for educationally backward blocks, having a
substantial minority population, rose from 97 in 2006-07 to 219 in 2007-08.
(ii) Under the Swarnjayanti Gram
Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY), 60,494 Swarojgaris belonging to the minorities
were assisted in 2006-07 and this went up to 143,385 in 2007-08. The target for
assisting swarojgaris has been fixed at 264,401 in 2008-09.
(iii) Under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), 14,236 BPL
families belonging to the minorities were assisted for construction of pucca
houses in 2006-07. This went up to 155,980 in 2007-08. The target for
construction of houses for minorities below the poverty line has been fixed at
319,075 in 2008-09.
(iv) Under the Swarn Jayanti
Shahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY), 15,933 beneficiaries were assisted for skill training in 2006-07. In 2007-08,
the achievement rose substantially to 41,466.
This was more than the target fixed.
(v) The proportion of priority
sector lending flowing to the minorities is expected to increase from 9% to
15% over three years i.e. 2007-08 to 2009-10. Rs.58,662.67 crores of priority
sector lending, which was 9.67% of the total priority sector lending, was
disbursed to minorities in 2007-08. The target for 2008-09 is 13.00%.
Sachar Committee
Report and follow up action.
A High Level Committee
was constituted under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd) Rajinder Sachar to
prepare a report on the social economic and educational status of the Muslim
community of India. It submitted its report in November,
2006. The report has been tabled in both
Houses of Parliament on 30th
November, 2006.
A total of seventy six recommendations contained
in the report were examined by this Ministry in consultation with twenty two
Ministries/Departments. The Government has already approved the follow-up
action on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee report. A statement was laid in both Houses of Parliament
on 31.08.2007.
INITIATIVES TAKEN IN PURSUANCE OF THE SACHAR COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Special area
development programme
90 minority concentration districts (MCDs),
which are backward in basic amenities and socio-economic parameters, were
identified in 2007-08. A multi-sectoral development programme to address the
‘development deficits’ specially in education, employment, sanitation, housing,
drinking water and electricity supply has been launched from 2008-09. Baseline survey to identify ‘development
deficits’ has been carried out in all the districts and district plans are
getting finalised. Plans of 31 districts covering Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Bihar and Manipur have been approved by the competent
authority.
All public sector banks
have been directed to open more branches in districts having a substantial
minority population. 523 branches were opened in 2007-08 in
such districts.
Expert group constituted
to study and recommend the structure and functions of an Equal Opportunity
Commission. Report was submitted
by expert group on 13.3.2008. A Note for the Cabinet containing the proposed
bill has been sent for legal vetting after
inter-ministerial consultation.
Expert group constituted
for evolving an appropriate Diversity Index to measure diversity in the areas of education,
housing and employment. Report
was submitted by expert group on 24th June,
2008. The matter is under consideration
A National Data Bank,
to compile data on the various socio-economic and basic amenities parameters
for socio-economic religious communities has been set up in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation.
An autonomous Assessment
& Monitoring Authority (AMA), to analyse data collected for taking appropriate
and corrective policy decisions has been set up in the Planning Commission.
Mid day meal programme has
been extended to upper primary level in all 3479 educationally backward
blocks.
Seventy seven blocks,
with a high concentration of Muslims identified for establishment of Block
Institutes of Teacher Education (BITEs) for teacher education. Scheme for
setting up of BITES being modified.
Provision of more girls’ hostel in colleges and universities in minority
concentration districts proposed under the existing University Grants Commission
(UGC) scheme. Proposed also to open new polytechnics with hostel facilities
in MCDs.
The Madarsa Modernization
Programme has been revised making it more attractive by providing better salary
to teachers, increased assistance for books, teaching aids and computers,
and introduction vocational subjects, etc.
NCERT has prepared text
books for all classes in the light of the NCF 2005.
Thirteen Universities provided Rs.40
lakhs each for starting centres for studying social exclusion and inclusive
policy for minorities and SCs & STs.
Initiatives
1. Identification
of Backward Minority concentration districts with a substantial minority
population.
The Ministry of
Minority Affairs completed the exercise of identification of 90 minority
concentration districts based on population data of Census 2001 and relevant
backwardness parameters. Special area
development plans, focusing on all aspects of relative neglect and backwardness
in these districts, would be implemented in a manner that the facilities and
opportunities available in these districts converge towards the national
average within the Eleventh Five Year Plan period.
2.
Inter-ministerial Task Force on the implications of the geographical
distribution of minorities in towns and cities.
The Census data of 2001
indicates that minorities, have a higher urban bias in the geographical
distribution of population. While the national
average is 27.82%, that of minorities is 34.71% and 338 towns and cities,
having a population of more than 50,000 and having a proportion of minorities
exceeding 25% have been identified.
An inter-ministerial Task Force was constituted
under the chairmanship of Dr. B.L. Mungekar, Member, Planning Commission to
devise an appropriate strategy and action plan for developing these areas
rapidly in a holistic manner. The Task
Force has submitted its report on 8th
November, 2007. The concerned Ministries/Departments have been
requested to take necessary action on the recommendations contained in the
report and furnish the plans for these towns.
National Commission
for Minorities (NCM)
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) had submitted 12 Annual
Reports before this Ministry was formed.
One more report was submitted in October, 2006. The 13th Report along with Action
Taken Memoranda (ATM) c on recommendations thereon has been tabled in the
Parliament.
The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) Pavilion
at Hall No.18 in the India International Trade Fair – 2008, organized at Pragati
Maidan, New Delhi from 14th
to 27th November this year has bagged Gold Medal for “Excellence in Presentation of Special Display in Textiles
and Garments”.
NMDFC, an Autonomous Body under the aegis of Ministry of Minority Affairs
has been participating in the IITF for the last 6 years. This year also participation
of NMDFC was partnered by its SCAs and NGOs spread over the entire country.
A total number of 67 NGOs/SHGs took part in the NMDFC’s pavilion spread
over an area of 501 Sq. meters in the Hall No. 18.
In all products of over 3,000 artisans of minority communities were
on display covering products like Textiles & Garments, Artificial Jewellery,
Carpets, Wall Hangings,Toys etc. The
participation in this prestigious fair is done in order to provide a platform
to the target group of NMDFC for selling their products and developing marketing
linkages with domestic as well as international buyers. NMDFC extends loans at very low rate of interest
to its targeted beneficiaries comprising of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs Buddhists
& Parsis, living below double the poverty line, through its State Channelizing
Agencies (SCAs) and reputed NGOs. NMDFC provides small loans ranging from
Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 5.0 Lakhs, for Income Generating Activities.
As per the information of India
Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), there
were total 5,000 stalls in the IITF
– 2008. 38 countries participated in the fair and people from 95 countries
visited the fair this year.
Tabling of the Report of Central Waqf Council in the
Parliament
The Annual Report
and Audit Report for the year 2007-08 of the Central Waqf Council were laid in
the Lok Sabha on 11th
December, 2008 and in the Rajya Sabha on 15th December, 2008 respectively.
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(Release ID :45972)