PM asks CMs to implement Minorities Welfare Programme

New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) 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.

Dr Singh asked them to give a fair share to minorities in the central and state government jobs.

The programme should pay ''due attention at the highest level,'' he said in a letter to the Chief Ministers.

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 Secretraies would monitor these programmes and would 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.

He sought to remind them that ''the programme was designed to counter the menace of communal disharmony and violance, ensure representation to minorities in government employment and provide a fair share to them in programes for economic development.'' 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 you cooperation and asitsance in the successful implementation of this programme,'' the Prime Minister said in the letter.

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