Growth of minorities essential for national integration: Antulay

New Delhi, Dec 2 (UNI) Union Minister for Minority Affairs A R Antulay today called for creating awakreness among the masses regarding agencies providing concessional finance to the minorities living below the poverty line for self-employment.

Inaugurating the Mid Term Review Conference of State Channelising Agencies of National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation here, he asserted that real National integration will take place only when majority and minority grow together and minorities get their due share.

Mr Antulay urged the State Governments to properly implement the concessional credit schemes to the target group and also instructed the NMDFC to introduce new schemes for increasing coverage of the programme and monitor the role of state channelising agencies in disbursement of micro credit and educational loans.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr M N Prasad Secretary Ministry of Minority Affairs, advised the corporation to concentrate on districts and blocks where minority population abounds. He mentioned that there are 103 districts in different states where minority population is 90 per cent. Such districts can be taken up on priority basis for the benefit of the target group.

The Sach Committee report on the socio-economic status of Muslims can be used for planning out strategies to reach the last man of the target group. He urged the NMDFC to make efforts for developing the core strength of minorities and locate their traditional and non-traditional activities in which they are engaged. The minorities engaged in self-employment activities can be imparted training for upgrading technology and skills through these schemes so that the minorities can provide services in the age of globalization.

The Conference was attended by the Secretaries of different State Governments and Managing Directors of the State Channelising Agencies of NMDFC. NMDFC was incorporated in September, 1994 as a company under section 25 of the Companies Act. Its mandate includes extending concessional credit to the poorer section amongt the minority community for various income generation activities.

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