Arun Jaitley on Economic Empowerment of Minorities

The National Commission of Minorities was established in 1978. Later through enactment of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, a statutory Commission, better known as NCM was set up in May 1993 and its first Chairperson assumed office in July, 1993.

This year Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information & Broadcasting Mr. Arun Jaitley delivered annual lecture of NCM. The topic for this year was "Economic Empowerment of Minorities".

What Mr. Arun Jaitley said at the event:

Mr. Jaitley said that the central government is committed to advance the cause of minorities and other disadvantaged groups. He added that the government is working on the premise that these sections need to grow and grow uniformly and so government is striving to bring uniformity to the extent possible.

I delivered today the 8th annual NCM Lecture on 'Economic Empowerment of Minorities' https://t.co/ewrA1ZPYsx

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) March 23, 2016

Mr. Jaitley also said that higher growth rate impacts all but there are areas where certain minorities lag behind and those areas need to be addressed.

Post 1991, improvement in conditions of deprived sections of the society has been faster compared to pre 1991 period but not uniform, he added.

Education is the key to improve their condition faster and uniformly and conversion of skills in to opportunities is another means to achieve it, he added.

Dr. Najma Heptulla at the event:

Dr. Najma Heptulla, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs too was present and she said that effective implementation of schemes and ensuring uniformity in development are the two guiding principles for "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas".

He further added that, "The Minority Affairs Ministry is focusing on implementing the schemes for six notified minorities to make difference on ground. To address the micro level deficiencies in development, the Ministry is emphasing on education, skill development and dispelling social alienation of minorities specially Muslims."

Appreciating support from the FM and PM to her Ministry schemes, Dr. Najma said Nai Manzil and Hamari Dharohar schemes launched during this government are being received well and have started yielding results.

She praised FM for his expertise over interpretation of Constitution.

No one can interpret constitution of India as Arun Jaitley ji can do thank you Arun ji for your excellent address pic.twitter.com/rONIeAmF0i

— Najma Heptulla (@nheptulla) March 23, 2016

Arun ji delivering NCM lecture excellent lecture worth reading for every one pic.twitter.com/xS3EmSBP99

— Najma Heptulla (@nheptulla) March 23, 2016

History:

In order to commemorate the setting up of the Statutory Commission in July, 1993, NCM initiated a Lecture Series in 2008.

The first NCM lecture was delivered by Justice A. M. Ahmadi, former Chief Justice of India in the year 2008.

Justice Rajender Sachar delivered the second NCM lecture in the year 2009 on "Minorities in Constitution of India".

In the year 2010, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former President on India delivered the third NCM lecture on "Evolution of a prosperous, Peaceful, inclusive and Happy Society."

The fourth NCM lecture was delivered by H. H. The Dalai Lama in the year 2011.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor delivered the fifth NCM lecture on the topic of "Who is an Indian? A Nation of Minorities" in the year 2012.

The sixth Annual Lecture was delivered by Shri Nitish Kumar, the then Chief Minister of Bihar in 2013 on the topic "The Idea of India".

The seventh Annual Lecture was delivered by Fali Nariman on "Minorities on cross roads: Comments on Judicial pronouncements" in the year 2014.