Minorities will be made equal partners in development: Government

New Delhi, June 9: The Narendra Modi-government today vowed to make all minority communities equal partners in the country's progress as it regretted that the benefits of schemes do not reach them, leaving them in poverty even after decades of Independence.

The government specifically promised to strengthen measures to spread modern and technical education among them and initiate National Madrassa Modernisation Programme.

Addressing the first joint sitting of Parliament after the recent Lok Sabha polls, President Pranab Mukherjee said it is unfortunate that even after several decades of Independence, sections of minority communities continue to suffer from poverty, as benefits of government schemes do not reach them.

"My government is committed to making all minorities equal partners in India's progress," he said. Mukherjee said keeping in mind welfare of people belonging to the SCs, STs, OBCs and the weaker sections of the society, the government will take steps to create an enabling "eco-system of equal opportunity" in education, health and livelihood.

"My government is committed to see that those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes are able to avail emerging opportunities. "For the Scheduled Tribes, my government will launch a dedicated 'Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana'. Electrification of tribal hamlets and connecting them with all-weather roads will be a priority area," he said.

The President said the welfare and rehabilitation of specially-abled people is integral to the NDA government's vision of a caring society.

"It will take steps to provide dignity of life to them by facilitating their participation in all walks of life. Steps will be taken to identify their special needs and to provide institutional care to them," he said.

PTI