Mizoram to review minorities' welfare programmes

Aizawl, Oct 20 (UNI) Keeping in view the letter from Prime Minister Manmmohan Singh, the Mizoram government has taken initiative to review the status of minorities' welfare programmes of the Central government.

The Zoramthanga government had recieved the letter from the Prime Minister's Office last week that urged the Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories to fix targets under the new 15-point programme for the welfare of minorities.

Official sources here today said the letter had emphasised on the need to set up mechanisms to monitor the progress of their implementation, and stated that it would be monitored by a Committee of Secretaries at the Centre.

'' The Prime Minister's letter has asked all the Chief Ministers to put in place a similar mechanism so that the programme receives due attention at the highest level, '' sources added.

It had also asserted that the importance of maintenance of communal peace and harmony and provision of a fair share in Central and State Government employment, including the public sector undertakings, to the minorities remained undiluted and these continued to be the fundamental constituents of the revised programme.

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had announced a 15-point programme for the welfare of minorities in 1983 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 empowerment.

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