The Ministry of Minority
Affairs further sharpened its focused approach in 2010 to issues related to the
Minorities and to play a pivotal role in the overall policy, planning,
coordination, evaluation and review of the regulatory and development programmes for the benefit of the Minority communities. In
this endeavour the Ministry has been greatly helped
by a quantum jump in its budget allocation by the Union Government for the
Financial Year 2010-11 as Plan allocation for the Ministry has been increased
from Rs. 1,740 crore in 2009-10 to Rs. 2,600 crore.
The Ministry has also
taken a number of steps towards implementation of the recommendations of the
Prime Minister’s High Level Committee on Social, Economic and Educational
status of the Muslim Community of India (popularly called the Sachar Committee). The steps include, implementation of
three scholarship schemes namely Pre-matric, Post-matric and Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Schemes for students
belonging to minority communities. Besides, Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scheme for M.Phil.
and Ph.D. students and Free Coaching & Allied
Scheme have been implemented for minority students. Also, under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP), which is a special area development programme, approvals have been given for construction of 559
school buildings; 6,679 additional class rooms; 37 hostels and 34 laboratories
for primary, secondary, higher secondary / college education in 90 Minority Concentration
Districts (MCDs) where there is substantial minority population including
Muslims. The follow-up action of the implementation of the recommendations of Sachar Committee is regularly reviewed on quarterly basis.
Following is the status
of various schemes/programmes being implemented by
the Ministry of Minority Affairs during 2010 :
SCHEME OF PRE-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS BELONGING TO MINORITY
COMMUNITIES
A centrally sponsored scheme of pre-matric scholarship for students belonging to the minority
communities, pursuing studies from class I to class X, is being implemented since 2008-09. The
scheme is being implemented through the State Governments / Union Territory
Administrations with funding being shared between the Centre and States in the
ratio of 75:25; but in the case of Union Territories 100% financial
assistance is provided
by the Centre. Students with not less than 50% marks in the previous final
examination whose parents’ / guardians’ annual income from all sources does not
exceed Rs. 1.00 lakh are eligible for award of the
pre-matric scholarship.
An outlay of Rs. 1,400 crores has been provided in the Eleventh Five Year Plan to
award 25 lakh scholarships during the plan period
(2007-12); of which 30% have been earmarked for girl students. An amount of
over Rs. 202 crore was released and
over 17.29 lakh scholarships were sanctioned during
2009-10. A target of 20 lakh scholarships for 2010-11
has been set and the financial allocation
for the year is Rs
450 crore. Till 30th
Nov. 2010
over 23.34 lakh scholarships had been granted under
the Scheme.
SCHEME OF POST-MATRIC
SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS BELONGING TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES
A scheme
of post-matric scholarship for students belonging to
the minority communities pursuing higher education from class XI up to Ph.D.,
including technical and vocational courses of Industrial Training Institutes /
Industrial Training Centers (affiliated to NCVT) of class XI and XII level was
approved in November 2007 and launched
in December, 2007. This is a centrally sponsored scheme to be implemented
through State Governments / Union Territory Administrations with 100% funding
by the Central Government. Students having not less than 50% marks in the
previous final examination and whose parents’/guardians’ income from all
sources does not exceed Rs.2 lakhs are eligible for
award of a post-matric scholarship.
It is proposed to award 15 lakh scholarships during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period (2007-12). An outlay of Rs.1150 crores has been provided for the Plan period. An
expenditure of Rs.265 crore has been allotted for the
scheme during 2010-11 and the target is distribution of 4 lakh
scholarships; against which more than 3.59 lakh
scholarships have already been distributed up to 30th Nov. 2010.
MERIT-CUM-MEANS BASED SCHOLARSHIP FOR PROFESSIONAL AND
TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS
BELONGING TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES
The
merit-cum-means scholarship scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in
2007. It is being implemented through State Governments/Union Territory
Administrations. The entire expenditure is being borne by the Central
government. Scholarships are available for pursuing professional and technical
courses, at under-graduate and post-graduate levels, in institutions recognized
by the appropriate authority under the scheme. 20,000 scholarships are
proposed to be awarded every year. 30% of these scholarships are earmarked
for girl students, which may be utilized by boy students, if an adequate number
of eligible girl students are not available.
Seventy institutes for professional
and technical courses have been listed in the scheme. Eligible students from
the minority communities admitted to these institutions will be reimbursed full
course fee. A course fee of Rs.20,000/- per annum will
be reimbursed to students studying in other institutions. To be eligible, a student should have secured
admission in any technical or professional institution, recognized by an
appropriate authority. In case of students admitted without a competitive
examination, students should have secured not less than 50% marks.
The annual income of the family from all sources should not exceed
Rs.2.50 lakhs.
An
amount of Rs.135 crore has been allotted for the
scheme during 2010-11 and the target is distribution of 20,000 scholarships.
Till November 30, 2010
over 16,000 fresh scholarships have been granted and over 17, 000 renewed.
SCHEME
OF FREE COACHING & ALLIED ASSISTANCE FOR CANDIDATES BELONGING TO MINORITY
COMMUNITIES
The scheme was
revised and launched in July 2007 and a cumulative total of more than 15,000
students/candidates have benefited till date. During 2009-10, the achievement was 5,532 persons. The target for 2010-11 is 5,760, out of which 4,725
students have already benefited up to 30.11.2010; an amount of over Rs. 7.38 crore has been sanctioned during the year under this scheme.
NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP FOR STUDENTS FROM MINORITY
COMMUNITIES
National
Fellowship Scheme for Minority students, launched during 2009-10, provides integrated five year fellowships in the
form of financial assistance to students
from minority communities, as notified by the Central Government to
pursue higher studies such as M. Phil and Ph.D. The scheme covers all
Universities/Institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC)
under section 2(f) and section 3 of the UGC Act and is being implemented by the
Ministry of Minority Affairs through UGC
for students belonging to the minority communities. The fellowship under National Fellowship is on the pattern of UGC
Fellowships awarded to research students pursuing regular and full time M. Phil
and Ph.D courses. Under the scheme 756 new
fellowships are to be awarded every year to scholars belonging to minority
communities. During 2009-10 a total of 755 fellowships were awarded.
The
budget available for National Fellowship Scheme for Minority students in
2010-11 is Rs.30 crore as against Rs.14.90 crore sanctioned last year. Renewal of the fellowships
awarded in the previous years will also be carried out under the scheme.
MAULANA AZAD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Maulana Azad Education
Foundation (MAEF) was established in 1989 as a voluntary, non-political,
non-profit making society registered under the Societies Registration Act,
1860. The main objectives of MAEF are to formulate and implement
educational schemes and plans for the benefit of the educationally backward
minorities in particular and weaker sections in general, and to facilitate
establishment of residential schools, especially for girls, in order to provide
modern education to them.
The Foundation is implementing its schemes out of the
interest earned on its Corpus Fund, which is its only source of income. The
Corpus Fund has been provided to the Foundation as part of plan assistance. The
Corpus fund, which stood at Rs.200 crore in the year
2006-07 has now been enhanced to Rs. 700 crore. The
paid-up corpus as on date is Rs. 550 crore. During the
current Financial Year till 30.10.2010 the MAEF has sanctioned Grants-in-aid to
376 NGOs amounting to Rs. 50.14 crore under its
grants-in-aid scheme. A total number of 18,000 scholarships under Maulana Azad Scholarship for
Meritorious Girl Students will be distributed during this Financial Year for
which action is under progress.
SCHEME
FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF MINORITY WOMEN
The
Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women was transferred from the
Ministry of Women and Child Development to Ministry of Minority Affairs.
It was formally launched on 27th January
2010.
The Sachar Committee Report has highlighted the fact
that India’s largest minority
group, the Muslims numbering 13.83 crore have been
left out of the development trajectory. Within this group, Muslim women
are doubly disadvantaged. To ensure that the benefits of growth reach
these deprived women, it is proposed to implement the scheme as a Centrally
Sponsored Scheme in pilot mode. Through this scheme, such women would be
provided with support, leadership training and skill development so that they
can move out of the confines of their homes and community and begin to assume a
leadership role in accessing services, skills and opportunities.
The
scheme is to be
implemented throughout the country with special focus on
districts, blocks and towns/cities having a substantial minority
population. Rs. 15 crore is the allocation for
the year 2010-11 during which 56,850 women are to be trained.
NATIONAL
MINORITIES DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE CORPORTATION
National
Minorities Development And Finance Corporation (NMDFC) is a Central Public
Sector Enterprises (CPSE) functioning under the Ministry of Minority Affairs with
the main objective to promote economic development of the poorer section of
Minorities. It was incorporated on 30th
September, 1994 under the Companies Act with an initial Authorized Share
Capital of Rs. 500.00 crore. During the current year
the Authorized Share Capital of NMDFC has been enhanced to Rs. 1500.00 crore.
The Authorized Share Capital of Rs. 1500.00 crore is to be contributed by various agencies in the following manner: Govt. of India: Rs.
975.00 crore (65%); State
Government / UTs : Rs. 390.00 crore (26%); Organizations &
Individuals interested in the Welfare of Minorities: Rs.
135.00 crore
(9%).
As on 1.11.2010, the Share Capital contribution from the above
three categories is Rs. 922.27 crore (61.48%) of
which Rs. 760.36 crore (77.99%) has been contributed
by the Government of India and Rs. 161.90 crore
(41.51%) by various State Governments and Union Territory Administration. Only
an amount of Rs. 55,000/- has been contributed by the Organizations &
Individuals having interests in Minorities.
NMDFC has disbursed an
amount of Rs. 1255.18 crore for assisting 3,21,898 beneficiaries under its Term Loan Scheme implemented
through the State Channelizing Agencies. NMDFC started its Micro-Credit Programme from the year 1998-99 and has disbursed an amount
of Rs. 133.40 crore for assisting 2,17,025 beneficiaries.
A
scheme for giving grants-in-aid to State Channelizing Agencies, for
strengthening of their infrastructure, was launched during 2007-08. Under this
scheme, assistance to SCAs is being provided for awareness campaigns,
improvement in delivery systems, training of manpower and debt recovery. This
year Rs. 4 crore is being released under the
scheme.
To
further strengthen the NMDFC and suggest measures to increase the outreach of NMDFC,
the proposal for restructuring of NMDFC is currently under study by a
consultant.
MULTI-SECTORAL
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
A
Multi-Sectoral Development Programme
(MsDP) for the welfare of Minorities is being
implemented in 90 identified Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs), spread
across 20 states. These districts have been lagging behind in terms of critical
socio-economic and basic amenities parameters and require focused attention and
specific programme intervention. The programme aims at improving the quality of life of the
people and reducing imbalances in line with the priority attached to inclusive
growth. Identified ‘development deficits’ in education, sanitation,
pucca housing, drinking water, electricity supply
etc. and absolutely critical infrastructure linkages like basic health
infrastructure, ICDS centres, skill development and
marketing facilities would be addressed through this programme.
The focus of this programme will be on rural and
semi-rural areas of the identified 90 Minority
Concentrated Districts. The programme was launched in
2008-09.
Out
of 90 MCDs, District plans of 89 MCDs have been
considered and approved till date. Under it an amount of over Rs. 1,650.88
crore has been released by the Ministry of Minority
Affairs to State Governments/UT Administrations (till 30th November
2010) since the launch of the programme.
SCHEME
FOR COMPUTERIZATION
OF THE RECORDS OF STATE WAQF BOARDS
The broad objectives of the Scheme for Computerization of
Records of State Waqf Boards are:
·
Ensuring proper survey and cross checking of Waqf data from various computer data bases maintained at
the state level, such as by Revenue Departments etc.
·
Improving office efficiency and preparation of
timely reports on various administrative matters.
·
Creation of a centralized and web-enabled data
base for use by various stake holders.
·
Properties Registration Management of Waqf Boards.
·
Muttawalli Returns Management
system.
·
Leasing of Properties Management system.
·
Litigations Tracking Management system.
·
Documents Archiving & Retrieval Management
system.
The scheme of
computerization is uniformly to be applicable across all the 29 State Waqf Boards and any other Waqf
Board like J&K, making a special request for funding subject to
availability of funds. The Scheme is being implemented during the Plan period
2009-10 to 2011-12 at a total cost of Rs. 22.84 crore.
The
computerization would introduce implementation of a web based centralized
application module for Waqf Management. The scheme is being implemented by National
Informatics Centre (NIC) on turnkey basis.
Till date, an amount of
Rs. 5.42 crore has been released to 20 State/Union
Territory Waqf Boards. The Central Waqf Council also releases loans to the State Waqf Boards to allow the latter to develop urban waqf properties.
AMENDMENT
OF THE WAQF ACT, 1995
The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf,
in its Third Report, recommended comprehensive amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995 to make it more effective. The
proposed amendments were duly considered in consultation with the concerned
Ministries and the State Governments and the Waqf
(Amendment) Bill, 2010 was introduced in April in the Lok
Sabha; which was passed by the House on 7th
May 2010 and was sent to Rajya Sabha.
On 31st August, 2010, the Rajya Sabha referred the Amendment Bill to a 13-member Select
Committee of the Rajya Sabha.
PRIME
MINISTER’S NEW 15- POINT PROGRAMME FOR THE WELFARE OF MINORITIES
It was announced in
June, 2006. An important aim of the new programme is to ensure that the benefits of various
government schemes for the underprivileged reach the disadvantaged sections of
the minority communities. In order to ensure that the benefits of these schemes
flow equitably to the minorities, the new programme
envisages location of a certain proportion of development projects in minority
concentration areas. It also provides
that, wherever possible, 15% of targets and outlays under various schemes
should be earmarked for minorities.
Schemes included in the new 15 Point Programme which are amenable to earmarking for minorities
and targets are fixed every year are as under:-
·
Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS)
Scheme by providing services through Anganwadi Centres {Ministry of Women & Child Development}
·
Sarva Shiksha
Abhiyan including Kasturba
Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya
Scheme {Ministry of Human Resources Development}
·
Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) {Ministry
of Rural Development}
·
Swarn Jayanti
Shahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY) {Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty
Alleviation}
·
Upgradation of existing Industrial
Training Institutes (ITIs) into centres of excellence
{Ministry of Labour & Employment}
·
Bank credit under priority sector lending
{Department of Financial Services}
·
Indira Awaas
Yojana (IAY) {Ministry of Rural Development}
The progress of implementation of the Programme
is monitored by each of the Ministries/Departments concerned on a monthly
basis. At the Central level, Ministry of Minority Affairs reviews the overall
progress on a quarterly basis with the Nodal Officers of other Ministries.
Under
the new 15 Point Programme, the Ministry of Minority
Affairs is implementing the three scholarships for students
belonging to the minority communities, namely - merit-cum-means based
scholarship, post-matric scholarship and pre- matric scholarship.
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