Articles 15 (1) & (2), 16(1) & (2), 25(1), 26, 28 and 29(2) of Indian Constitution provides freedoms & protection against discrimination to Indian citizens including minorities. Articles 30(1), 30(1A) and 30(2) specifically covers the minorities. Under its policy of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, the Government implemented various schemes for the welfare and upliftment of every strata, including the six (6) centrally notified minority communities viz. Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Parsi and Sikh, especially the economically weaker and lesser privileged sections of the society.

The Government adopted a holistic approach to cover all eligible beneficiaries under the schemes. Some of such schemes were also re-structured by extending their coverage and scope to make them universal for all eligible beneficiaries. Under the saturation approach of Government, many of the schemes/components have achieved mainstreaming.

To implement the ongoing schemes, the Government of India has now introduced various monitoring mechanism/agencies such as Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog for monitoring various schemes/programs. DMEO has been mandated to actively monitor and evaluate the implementation of schemes, programs and initiatives of the Government of India (GoI) to strengthen their implementation and scope of delivery of services. The Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) entrusted to DMEO, NITI Aayog, endeavours to provide measurable indicators for achievement of scheme objectives, or the 'Outcomes'.

Further, participating Ministries/Departments have inbuilt monitoring mechanism in their respective schemes and they are regularly monitoring the progress of their respective schemes.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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SS/ISA