By Manzar Bilal,TwoCircles.net,
Patna: Keeping his promise for ‘development with justice’ Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has given minority welfare schemes proper place in the agenda of his government for next five years. In addition to continuing the present schemes for minority, he decided to start some new schemes to bring the community to the mainstream of the development.
The new government agenda, which got approval at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Nitish on December 14 evening, has plenty of schemes and plans for the development of the state and welfare of all sections of the society including minorities and women.
Given the fact that Muslims are lagging behind in education, which led them to unemployment and several other problems, the state cabinet approved two specific schemes to help them out. One is CM’s educational loan scheme for Minority students who want to do professional courses and second is CM’s employment loan scheme for unemployed members of the minority communities.
The cabinet also decided to increase the grant for Bihar Haj Committee from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.40 lakh for next fiscal year to provide better facilities to the Haj pilgrims of the state.
Besides, the appointment of Urdu teachers at every primary and middle school, provision for modern education to students at Madrasas and intensifying coaching facilities for minority students preparing for different competitive exams were approved.
CM Nitish Kumar addressing a function on minority welfare in Patna on 5th Oct 2008
The cabinet reiterated its commitment to take all possible steps for the establishment of the special centre of Aligarh Muslim University in Kishanganj district. It also gave nod to provide land and building to Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic & Persian University soon. Besides, it also decided to extend the ‘Hunar’, ‘Auzar’ and ‘Talimi Markaz’ (adult education centre) programs to more areas.
To ensure proper implementation of these schemes for minorities, the Nitish government took an important decision to institute a directorate under the Minority Welfare Ministry. The directorate will monitor all the minority schemes.
Other minority welfare schemes approved at the cabinet include industrial hub for weavers in every area of their concentration, expansion of bidi business, fund for graveyard fencing, publication of Urdu magazines and newspapers, protection of waqf properties, maintenance of the sufi shrines and minority libraries.
[TCN Photos]