By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad: After stiff insistence from Andhra Pradesh High Court State Government finally resurrected the defunct Minorities Commission, but just four months after its reorganization commission has again found itself in troubled waters.
On May 16th Congress state Government reconstituted Andhra Pradesh Minorities Commission after a deadline notice from the High Court, to reinstitute the commission which was defunct since April 2009. State Congress appointed its state general secretary and spokesperson Abid Rasool Khan as the chairman of the Minorities Commission which is consisted of vice-chairman and other five members from different minority religious groups.
Abid Rasool Khan with other members of Commission.
Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy communicated his seriousness regarding Minority welfare while declaring the appointment of Minorities Commission, he stated that need for commission was felt more so after the establishment of Minorities Commissionarate and to monitor the utilization of massive budget allocation of Rs. 1,027 crore for minorities welfare nearly 110 per cent hike over that of the previous fiscal – Rs. 489 crore. Mr. Reddy even took a step ahead and given cabinet post to the chairmanship of Commission.
Abid Rasool Khan who enjoyed credible image in the state Muslim community took up the job with much required vigor to undo the loss of obsolete period of commission. He started calling frequent meetings of Andhra Pradesh Minorities Finance Corporation, Minorities Welfare Department to monitor various welfare schemes.
In the beginning Minorities Commission initiatives were welcomed by jesting bureaucrats with many officials absenting from the meetings, resulting in lack of cooperation and in the recent month led to an alleged spat between Commission and the namesake Minorities Ministry which started feeling sidelined by the commission.
Now four months down the line the seriousness behind the formation of Commission is exposed, since its reformation not a single rupee is being allotted to Minorities Commission by Minorities Welfare Department from Rs. 10.27 billion budget.
Result, since its reorganization Commission is running without paying salary and housing allowance to its staff, with liability of pending bill receipts of Rs. 12 lakh on printing and stationary charges. Commission chairman Abid Rasool Khan who was allotted cabinet rank in much publicity, is not yet provided Govt. vehicle or any security.
Speaking with TwoCircles.net Minorities Commission Chairman Abid Rasool Khan a loyal Congressman ruled out any wrong doing on the part of state Congress Govt. and put the blame on slack bureaucracy running in various Minority Welfare Departments. “Government and Chief Minister had the will to appoint the commission, they did it. They were seriousness so they appointed a man they trusted who would deliver on promises. However certain group of officials working in Minority Welfare Departments taken Commission screening on their programs as infringement of their rights, so they are devising ways to derail our efforts.”
Mr. Khan said in the beginning of Commission’s meeting to monitor various Minority welfare scheme, the officials didn’t showed up and after warning when they did, some of them working under same department for 10 years or more didn’t had any proper records or data to place before the commission.
When officials found no escape from scrutinization process they started jamming files in various departments including, files to clear basic functions of the commission itself. Thus given open combat call to the commission.
Commission Chairman said when he took over the office he observed that only 7% of total welfare budget of Rs. 1027 Crore is being utilized, “This is the kind of menace created due to redtapisim, in every financial year budget allocation is not getting utilized, same is the situation in present fiscal year even though half year is passed only 7% of allocated budget is employed, at the time when it got a hike of almost 110%.” Mr. Khan said Commission pressing for proper utilization of funds didn’t go down well with the Minority Welfare department officials.
Abid Rasool Khan in its personal capacity was making recommendations for appointment of fresh blood in the newly formed Minorities Commissionarte, even though the proposed 69 posts were getting lobbied by many employees of various agencies which report to the Minorities Welfare Department (MWD).
Minorities Commission review meeting with Minorities Finanace corporation officials.
Soon after taking charge Commission also started taking notice of thousands of Crore’s worth Wakf properties computerization program, much to the aghast of Minority Ministry which was handling it for years but without any concrete result. The big chunk budget made up for fee reimbursement and Scholarship program also came under the radar of commission.
Abid Rasool Khan also revealed that Commission started taking notice of Andhra Pradesh Minorities Finance Corporation Scam which caused alarm in Minority Welfare Bureaucracy Circles. Last year 56 crore were siphoned off from APMFC budget fund of 95 crore which was meant for scholarships for poor Muslim students.
Mr. Khan claimed that not a single penny from that stolen amount is still being recovered, so commission has decided to file a petition before High Court for a CBI probe, already former APMFC chairman llyas Rizvi is under scanner by CID, and CBI probe could very well roll many more heads in Muslim bureaucracy circles.
Chairman said Minorities Commission is powerful body with many power of appeal and penalty like a court, he said tactics of some vested interests to harm the commission will not be successful as its powers will remain unrestricted and could be used against its detractors.
Mr. Khan said even after stiff opposition and tactics to derail, the Commission is functioning as per its programs and today itself 14 cases were being heard and disposed off with orders of strict actions. He said Commission has already written to Chief Secretary to guide its officers to be more serious in Commission’s affairs.
Abid Rasool khan didn’t rule out the hand of State Minority Affairs Ministry in creating troubles for Commission from apparent jealousy of getting secondary, “This could also be a factor, but one should not stood so low that interest of community gets jeopardize in personal enmity.” He said Commission could also approach State Governor for necessary action if tactics to harm the Commission continues.
Minorities Commission Chairman said these strategies of some vested interests to disrupt the functioning of Commission has made him and the members more determined to carry forward the work, as now they realized the gravity of job they are doing.
Abid Rasool Khan who is holding a three year term said his family is also backing him as they too understand the importance of Commission and its post for the welfare and protection of Muslim community, he said “I am grass root politician, I came up to this post by getting started as municipal councilor. Officials who think they could bend me to make commission fall in line by employing their cheap devices, should be ready for a surprise.”