2 nodal officers for Muslim minority welfare: Deshmukh

Mumbai, Aug 30 (UNI) The Maharashtra government has decided to appoint two nodal officers to look after the welfare of Muslims in the state.

An announcement to this effect was made by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in a minority community meeting held here today, which was presided by the Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant Sahai. It was attended by a number of religious leaders of minority community.

The Chief Minister also announced a hike in the fund for State Urdu Academy upto Rs 50 lakh from Rs 15 lakh per annum at present.

He also assured allotment of plots for the Sia graveyard in the state and relaxation in the process of obtaining loan by the minority community.

Mr Deshmukh said no innocent person should be arrested in the name of terrorism.

The state government is also considering to increase the financial assistance to the victims of Malegaon blasts and provide jobs to the injured and the kin of the deceased, he added.

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