Growth process to benefit backward minority groups: President

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) Reaffirming the government's commitment to make backward minority groups ''active participants and beneficiaries'' of the growth process, President A P J Abdul Kalam today said India continued to be concerned over infiltration and cross-border terrorism.

''We will take all measures necessary to ensure that the fruits of development are shared equitably and backward minority groups become active participants and beneficiaries of our growth processes,'' Dr Kalam said in his customary address to a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on the opening day of the Budget Session.

The President said this was necessary as certain minority communities continued to remain relatively backward, with a large number of out-of-school children, high dropout rates and low educational attainments.

''These require focused intervention. In addition to the existing schemes, my Government proposes to introduce comprehensive scholarship schemes from primary to post graduate levels for eligible students belonging to the minorities. My Government firmly commits itself to equity and welfare of all sections of society,'' he said.

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