Minority Budget Funds Must Not Be Diverted: NMC Member Shahezadi
Vijayawada: National Minority Commission (NMC) member Syed Shahezadi emphasised that the budget allocated to minorities should be exclusively utilised for the welfare of minorities, instead of diverting them to other schemes.
She made these remarks at a state-level meeting held at the state secretariat on Tuesday to review implementation of the Prime Minister's new 15-point programme for minority welfare.
Addressing the meeting, Shahezaadi underlined that the PM’s new initiative is being implemented by the central government. She directed the department officials concerned to ensure robust execution of the initiative at the state level.
The NMC member highlighted the need for promoting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) on a large scale to improve the economic conditions of minorities.
Noting that child labour is prominent among minorities, she wanted stringent action taken against individuals and organisations encouraging this practice. She expressed concern over reports of early pregnancies among young minority women. She recommended awareness programmes to prevent this in collaboration with ASHA and health workers.
Shahezaadi instructed officials to ensure that schools, colleges, hospitals and hostels constructed under the Prime Minister’s Jan Vikas programme are completed on time. She proposed that as part of the 15-point plan, educational opportunities for minorities should be enhanced. There should be equitable participation in economic activities and employment.
The NMC member called for robust measures to improve the living conditions of minorities. She wanted prevention and control of religious conflicts.
Shahezaadi stated that ICDS services should be made available to minorities just as they are to others. Access to schooling must be increased and more opportunities for teaching Urdu must be provided. Madrasa education should be modernised. Scholarships must be awarded to talented students from minority communities.
She sought equitable representation in the rural housing scheme for minorities, improvements in their living conditions within slums, and prosecution of those who commit religious crimes.
State Minority Welfare commissioner Chittoori Sridhar made a PowerPoint presentation, detailing the progress of various schemes being implemented for minority welfare in Andhra Pradesh.
