The Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge), Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that the Union Budget (General) 2017-18 will be helpful in socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities. Shri Naqvi said that the Budget of Minority Affairs Ministry has been increased to Rs 4195.48 crore for 2017-18. This is Rs 368.23 crore more than 2016-17 Budget of Rs 3827.25 crore with an increase of about 9.6 per cent. The Central Governments focus is on educational and skill development of Minorities. Maximum part of the Budget 2017-18 would go for educational empowerment and skill development of the Minorities. It was stated by Shri Naqvi while briefing the press here, today.
The Minister of Minority Affairs further stated that more than Rs 2600 crore have been provided for various scholarships and skill development schemes such as Seekho aur Kamao”, Nai Manzil”, Nai Roushni”, Usttad”, Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centre” and Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship for Girls”. Besides this, funds under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) will also be utilized for various educational development activities. Rs 393.54 crore has been given for Merit-cum-Means based scholarship; Rs 950 crore for pre-matric scholarship; Rs 550 crore for post-matric scholarship; Rs 250 crore for Seekho aur Kamao (with an increase of Rs 40 crore compared to last budget); Rs 176 crore for Nai Manzil” (with an increase of Rs 56 crore compared to last budget); Rs 113 crore for Maulana Azad Education Foundation; Rs 170 crore as equity for NMDFC.
Shri Naqvi informed that Rs 22 crore has been allocated for Usttad” scheme which aims to promote and provide national-international markets for traditional arts of the Minority communities. Rs 1200 crore has been allocated for Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) with an increase of Rs 141 crore compared to last years budget. MsDP scheme provides basic infrastructure for Minority concentrated areas such as schools, hospitals, roads, multi-purpose community centres Sadbhav Mandap” etc.
He said that for 2017-18, Centre has set a target to provide scholarships to about 35 lakh students. Employment oriented training will be provided to more than 2 lakh youths belonging to Minority communities. Besides this, Hon’ble Prime Ministers new 15-Point Programme has been playing a key role in socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities. 24 schemes of 11 Ministries/Departments are presently covered under this programme. Various Ministries spend their about 15 percent funds for development of Minorities. This has been increased by about 19 per cent.
Shri Naqvi further informed that in the last years budget, about 2800 crore out of Rs 3827 crore have been spent on scholarship, training and other educational related activities. This also include scholarships worth Rs 1816 crore. About 90,000 Minority youths have been trained under Seekho aur Kamao” scheme. About 70,000 women were provided leadership skills under Nai Roushni”. Rs 650 crore were spent on educational infrastructure under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP).
During last six months, the Ministry of Minority Affairs also approved about 200 Sadbhav Mandap” and 16 Gurukul” type of schools with a cost of about Rs 262 crore. Sadbhav Mandaps” will be used as community centres for various cultural-social-educational activities as well as relief centres during a calamity.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has approved 16 Gurukul” residential schools across the country including Telanagana (7), Andhra Pradesh (6), Karnataka (2) and Jharkhand (1). We have also decided to help those Madrasas who are also providing mainstream education.
Shri Naqvi said that our efforts for empowerment of Minorities include Progress Panchayat”, Hunar Haat”, establishing Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centre”, Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship” for girls, establishing five world class educational institutes for Minorities and 500 quality residential schools and job-oriented skill development centres. About Rs 5300 crore were granted to various states under MsDP in 12th Plan.
Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.
