Member of the National Commission for Minorities, Syed Shahezadi chaired a review meeting here today to discuss the welfare programmes for minorities, being implemented under the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme. On this occasion, Syed Shahezadi said that the main objective of the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme is to ensure the overall welfare of minorities.
Efforts are being made for enhancing educational opportunities for minorities, ensuring an equitable share for minorities in economic activities and employment. She emphasized that improving minorities conditions of living through existing and new schemes and enhanced credit support for self empowerment is also being ensured under this programme. She also gave necessary directions to the officers.
It was apprised during the meeting that to promote the Urdu language in the state, the state government has decided to start Urdu language as an optional subject from 6th to 8th classes in identified schools. Scholarships under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Merit cum means scholarship scheme and Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme have also being implemented for the students belonging to minority communities.
It was further, appraised that under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), 28 self-help groups (SHGs) have been formed for women from minority communities and concerted efforts are being made to empower them economically. The Himachal Pradesh Minority Finance and Development Corporation has disbursed term loans of Rs. 100.58 crores to 3,498 beneficiaries of minority communities for self-employment. Besides, educational loans of Rs. 1.63 crore have also been given to 37 beneficiaries.
Detailed information regarding the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Programme, Skill Development Schemes and other programmes for the welfare of minorities has also been provided during the meeting. Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena provided detailed insights into the various schemes and programmes being implemented in the state for the welfare of minorities. Director, Empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities and Specially Abled Kiran Bhadana conducted the proceedings of the meeting.
Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Chand Sharma, Director General of Police Dr. Atul Verma, Additional Director General of Police Abhishek Trivedi, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment Ashish Singhmar, Secretary Rural Development and other senior officers attended the meeting.
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