PM asks CMs to achieve minority welfare targets

New Delhi, Sep 11: Pointing out that the benefit of the schemes for minorities has not equitably flowed to them, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has urged the Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories to fix targets for each of programme under the new 15-point programme for the welfare of minorities and put in place a monitoring mechanism.

The 15-point programme announced on the Independence Day last year lays special emphasis on increasing educational and employment opportunities for minorities and preventing communal violence.

The programme should be paid ''due attention at the highest level,'' Dr Singh said in a letter to the Chief Ministers.

He sought to remind them that ''the programme was designed to counter the menace of communal disharmony and violence, ensure representation to minorities in government employment and provide a fair share to them in programmes for economic development.'' The Prime Minister laid special emphasis on giving the minorities a fair share of employment in Central and state government jobs.

The Prime Minister has also emphasised the need to set up a mechanism to monitor the progress of their implementation.

At the Centre, he said, a Committee of Secretaries would monitor these programmes and submit a report to the Union Cabinet, he said and asked the states to put in place a similar mechanism so that the programme receives due attention.

The Prime Minister said the programmes spelt out by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandi in 1983 has been recast, as the experience over the years showed that the benefit of the schemes for minorities has not flowed equitably to eligible sections.

''I look forward to receiving your cooperation and assitsance in the successful implementation of this programme,'' the Prime Minister said in the letter.

Following are the highlights of the programme: Enhancing opportunities for Education, Equitable availability of ICDS Services, Greater resources for teaching Urdu, Modernising Madrasa Education Scholarships for meritorious students from minority communities, Improving educational infrastructure through the Maulana Azad Education Foundation, Equitable Share in Economic Activities and Employment, Enhanced credit support for economic activities, Recruitment to State and Central Services, Prevention&control of communal riots and Rehabilitation of victims of communal riots.

UNI