Rs 100 cr fund for minorities too small: Nawab Malik

Mumbai, Mar 26 (UNI) Nationalist Congress Party MLA Nawab Malik today rued in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that the Rs 100 crore earmarked in the State Budget for the benefit of minorities was a very small amount and it should be raised to at least Rs 500 crore.

Participating in the discussions on the budget, Mr Malik said half of the Rs 100 crore fund will have to be spent on salaries and other things, and only Rs 50 crore will be available.

He said minority welfare officers should be appointed in various district offices.

Mr Malik also criticised Opposition Leader Ramdas Kadam's statement that the establishment of a separate department for the welfare of the minorities was an attempt at creating division between the different communities in the state.

If there can be separate departments to oversee the welfare of ''Dalits'' and ''Adivasis'', what is wrong in having a similar department for the minorities, Mr Malik asked.

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