Lok Sabha Question No. 5336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-25
Subject: Completion of Schemes for Welfare of Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kani K. Navas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5336 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2019

## Completion of Schemes for Welfare of Minorities

## 5336. SHRI K. NAVASKANI:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  interactions  and  coordination  between  the  Union  and  State Governments for completion of schemes for welfare of minorities;
- (b) the response of State Governments, State/scheme-wise;
- (c) whether the State Governments have extended adequate cooperation in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the further action taken by the Union Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a) to  (d)  This  Ministry  continuously  interacts  with  State  Governments  /  UT Administrations  for  implementation  /  completion  of  various  schemes  being implemented  for welfare of minorities.    The  State  Governments  /  UT Administrations  have  extended  adequate  cooperation,  wherever  required,  in implementation  of  all  the  welfare  schemes  for  the  six  centrally  notified minorities.  Some of the important platforms for interaction are as under: -
- (i) National Conference is organised generally every year and the Secretaries incharge  of    the  Minority  Welfare  Departments  of  the  States  are  invited  to attend;
- (ii) Regional  conferences  are  conducted to  discuss the  problems  in  the  States falling in the particular region.
- (iii) Meetings  of  the  Empowered  Committee  (EC)  are  conducted  regularly  to consider  the  project  proposals  with  the  State  Govt.  concerned  under  the Pradhan Mantri jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK).
- (iv) Central  Waqf  Council  (CWC)  interacts  with  State  Waqf  Boards  (SWBs)  on regular basis through Conferences, meetings, etc. Video conferencing facilities have been provided to 20 SWBs in the last two years.
- (v) National  Minorities  Development  and  Finance  Corporation  (NMDFC) interacts with its State Channelising Agencies (SCAs) on regular basis.

Further, Ministry is implementing the following schemes/ Programmes in the country for the welfare and all round development of six centrally notified minorities, namely, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi, Muslim and Christian.

(1) Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme.

(2) Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme.

- (3) Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme.

Since  2015,  the  scholarship  schemes  are  being  implemented through DBT  mode to improve the efficiency and bring transparency by removing duplicity and stopping pilferages.

(4) Maulana Azad National Fellowship.

(5) Free coaching and Allied Scheme.

- (6)'Padho Pardes' - Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans forOverseas Studies.
- (7)    Support  for  students  clearing  Prelims  conducted  by  UPSC,  SSC, State Public Service Commission (PSC) etc. (Nai Udaan).
- (8)    Jiyo Parsi

(9)    Nai Roshni - Leadership development of minority women to instill confidence.

(10)    Seekho  Aur  Kamao  -  Employment-oriented  Skill  Development Initiatives.

- (11)  Nai  Manzil  -  A  World  Bank  assisted  scheme  for  formal  school education & skilling of school dropouts.
- (12) USTTAD  (Upgrading  the  Skills  and  Training  in  Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) by providing a platform to traditional Master Artisans and Craft persons for getting opportunities and market by organising of Hunar Haats.
- (13)  Hamari  Dharohar  -  A  scheme  to  preserve  rich  heritage  of  Indian Minority Communities under the overall concept of Indian Culture.
- (14) Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK) - implemented in Identified Minority Concentration Blocks, Minority Concentration Towns, District Headquarters & Clusters of Contiguous Villages for creation of basic infrastructural assets.
- (15) Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) implements educational empowerment schemes: -

(a)  Begum  Hazrat  Mahal  National  Scholarship  for  Meritorious Girls belonging to the six centrally notified Minorities.

(b)  Gharib  Nawaz  Employment  and  Training  Programme  is currently being implemented effectively for providing short-term job  oriented  skill  development  courses  to  youths  belonging  to minority communities.

- (16) The NMDFC providesconcessional loans for self- Employment and income generating ventures.

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