Mizoram to review minorities welfare programmes

Aizawl, Dec 01 (UNI) Following the letter from Prime Minister, Dr Manmmohan Singh Mizoram government has taken initiative to review the status of minorities welfare programmes of central government.

Zoramthanga government has recieved the letter from Prime Minister's Office recently that urged the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories to fix targets for each programme under the New 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities.

Official sources here said that the letter has 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 asked all the chief ministers to put in place a similar mechanism so that the programme receives due attention at highest level'', sources added.

It has 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 remains undiluted and these continue to be fundamental constituents of the revised programme.

Erst while, 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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