Mah govt announces sops for minority community

Mumbai, Aug 31 (UNI) Maharashtra government will sanction Rs 50 lakh to the Urdu Academy to address the demands of the minority community in the state.

During an official meeting here yesterday, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said the government would study about providing reservation to them in government jobs on the lines of Andhra Pradesh and appointment of members of the minority community on MCOCA Inspection Committee, an official release said.

He said the government would recruit teachers in Urdu schools on priority basis and also grant one month extension to fill forms for scholarship to students of the community.

The Chief Minister said additional FSI will also be provided to Masjids, adding that wrongfully acquired land of Wakf Board would be taken back.

To avoid discrimination in the inclusion of the minority community in the police force, Senior officials of the community from the district concerned would be included in the panel for their interview.

Serious efforts will be made to increase the number of the community in other administrative services also. The government has made provision of Rs 169 crore for an independent department for the welfare of the community, Mr Deshmukh added.

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