NEW DELHI, March 20: The Government of India is committed to improving the socio-economic status of all communities, including minority communities, through a variety of schemes and incentives aimed at ensuring equal opportunities and integration with the national mainstream. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has been working towards the socio-economic and educational empowerment of the six centrally notified minority communities.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Minority Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, outlined several key schemes being implemented for the welfare of these communities. These initiatives are designed to target the weaker segments within minority groups, focusing on educational empowerment, employment and economic upliftment, and infrastructural development.
Key Schemes for Minority Communities:
- Educational Empowerment:
- Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means based scholarships, which aim to enhance access to education for minority students.
- Employment and Economic Empowerment:
- Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS), which focuses on promoting and preserving cultural heritage.
- Equity to National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), which offers concessional loans to minorities to promote entrepreneurship and economic development.
- Infrastructural Development:
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK), aimed at improving the infrastructure in minority-dominated areas.
These schemes, together, contribute significantly to skill acquisition, improved livelihood opportunities, greater employability potential, enhanced access to infrastructure, better healthcare, and the overall welfare of minority communities. The government’s ongoing efforts aim to integrate all communities into the national socio-economic framework, ensuring equal opportunities for all.
