AP govt allocates Rs 120 cr for Muslim minorities

Hyderabad, May 30 (UNI) Principal Secretary to Minority Welfare department Chaya Ratan today said the Andhra Pradesh government had allocated Rs 120 crore for the welfare of Muslim minorities during this year as against Rs 66 crore in 2006-07.

Participating in an interactive session on 'Prime Minister's new 15 point programme for the welfare of Minorities', organised by Press Information Bureau (PIB) here, Ms Chaya said out of Rs 120 crore, 80 crore was allocated for scholarships to students of the community in 2007-08.

Observing that about 31 per cent of the Muslims in the state came under the Below Poverty Line (BPL), she said the state government was focussing on their upliftment by implementing several state and central sponsored welfare schemes.

Stating that the drop out rate among Muslim students in higher education was increasing due to financial problems, Ms Chaya said the state government has introduced the reimbursement of fees for Muslim students who were pursuing higher studies from this year.

PIB Deputy Director General MVVS Murthy said the four important components of the 15-point programme for the welfare of minorities were providing education, equitable share in economic development, improving living conditions and preventing communal riots.

UNI