Lok Sabha Question No. 652 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-04
Subject: Standard of Living of Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Anubhav Mohanty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 652 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2021

## STANDARD OF LIVING OF MINORITIES

## 652. SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the condition of minorities in the country at present with the various beneficial schemes that the Government has put in place;
- (b) whether any comparative study has been made for the improvement in the standard of living of minorities; and
- (c) if so, the details of such improvements seen during last five years?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  The  Government  is  implementing  various  schemes  for  the  welfare  and upliftment  of  every  section  of  the  society  including  minorities  especially  economically weaker & downtrodden sections all over the country with schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Pradhan Mantri Kisan  Samman  Nidhi  (PM  KISAN),  Pradhan  Mantri  UjjwalaYojana  (PMUY),  Pradhan Mantri AwasYojana (PMAY), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, etc.

Ministry of Minority Affairs also  implements programmes/ schemes for socio-economic and  educational  empowerment  of  the  six  (6)  centrally  notified  minority  communities namely Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains. These schemes/programmes in brief are 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  minority  communities  for  qualifying  in entrance examinations of technical/ professional courses and Competitive examinations.

(4) Padho Pardesh - Scheme of interest subsidy to students 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 (PSC) 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)  earlier  known  as  MsDP  Implemented for the benefit of the people from all sections of the society in identified Minority  Concentration  Areas  for  creation  of  assets  in  education,  skill  and  health sectors.

(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)

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

(12) Hamari Dharohar- A scheme to preserve rich heritage of minority communities of India under the overall concept of Indian culture.

(13)  Maulana  Azad  Education  Foundation  (MAEF)  implements  education  and  skill related  schemes  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. The details of the schemes (S. No.1 to 12)  mentioned above  and status of their implementation 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 ) respectively. 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.  The  approach  of  the Government has led to Minorities being equal partners with other communities, in the educational & socio-economic development of the country. These schemes are reviewed from time to time and restructured keeping in view the requirement of the minority communities. Further, performance under the schemes is also monitored on a continuous basis to ensure the desired outcome in terms of all round development of the notified minorities.

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