Lok Sabha Question No. 369 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Benefits of Minority Welfare Schemes
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ, ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.369 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015

## Benefits of Minority Welfare Schemes

## 369. DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN: SHRI ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of existing schemes for minorities in the country, State-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has received any complaints from minority community people that they are not getting benefits/financial assistance from various welfare schemes properly and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has directed all the State Governments to accept self certified certificate produced by the religious minority community people to avail various welfare schemes implemented by the Government;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a) This  Ministry  implements  the  following  schemes  for  the  welfare  of  notified  religious minority  communities  under  Section  2  (c)  viz  Muslims,  Christians,  Sikhs,  Buddhists, Jains and Parsis across the country:-

## Educational Empowerment Schemes

- i. Pre-Matric Scholarship
- ii. Post-Matric Scholarship
- iii. Merit-cum-Means Scholarship
- iv. Maulana Azad National Fellowship.
- v. Free Coaching & Allied Scheme.
- vi. Support  to  minority  candidates  clearing  Prelims  conducted  by  UPSC/SSC, State Public Service Commission (PSC) etc.
- vii. Padho Pardesh- Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for overseas studies.

## Area Development Scheme

- i. Multi Sectoral Development Programme (MsDP)

## Skill Development Schemes

- i. Seekho Aur Kamao
- ii. Upgrading the Skills and Training Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD)
- iii. Hamari Dharohar

## Women Empowerment Scheme

## i. Nai Roshni

The  details  of  the  above  schemes  are  available  on  the  website  of  this  Ministry  at www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.

- (b) Representations/grievances  received  from  time  to  time  under  the  Educational Empowerment  Schemes  are  addressed  as  per  scheme  guidelines  and  laid  down procedures.

The  Multi-sectoral  Development  Programme  (MsDP)  being  a  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme is implemented by the State Governments/UT Administrations through different implementing agencies under their control. References regarding grievances/problems relating to implementation of scheme received by the Ministry are sent to the concerned State/UT for necessary action at their end.

Under  Skill  Development  Schemes,  one  complaint  was  received  in  respect  of  one Project  Implementing Agency (PIA) in Delhi under 'Seekho aur Kamao' in April 2015 regarding non-disbursal of stipend and employment. This complaint was later enquired by the Ministry and was found to be false.

Under  Women  Empowerment  Scheme,  no  complaints  have  been  received.  Only representations of individuals are received for their grievances which are addressed as per procedure.

- (c)  to  (e)  Under  the  Educational  Empowerment  Schemes,  self-certified  certificate  for religious  community  is  acceptable  under  all  above  mentioned  schemes  w.e.f 2014-15.

Self  attested  certificates  are  accepted  under  the  Skill  Development  Schemes  and Women  Empowerment  Scheme  from  the  Project  Implementing  Agencies  (PIAs)  and trainees.

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