By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net,
Kozhikode: Inordinate delay in disbursing the monthly honorarium to Minority Promoters has derailed various welfare schemes initiated by the Kerala State Minority Welfare Department.
Utilization of Central madrassa grants, Muallim (madrassa teacher) welfare scheme, widow pension, Vayomithram schemes for minorities, career guidance programmes, help desks at educational institutions and extension of the minority welfare schemes, which were managed by these promoters, have been in limbo for the last few months. Muslims comprise almost 24 % of Kerala’s total population and scores of economically poor from among them are beneficiaries of these different schemes.
Minority promoters staging a dharna in front of the Kannur district collectorate in a protest against the delay occurred in delivering the honourariumAround 900 promoters were appointed to ensure that the welfare schemes reached its rightful beneficiaries. The promoters have been keeping away from their duties as they are yet to receive their monthly honourarium of Rs 4,000 even after one year of appointment.
Few of the Promoters staged dharna in front of the Kannur district Collectorate during weekend.
Pointing out that the promoters were effective in discharging their duties, Farhan Ibarhim, a Minority Promoter from Kasargod, said: “Our active involvement had averted many attempts to misappropriate welfare funds. The welfare funds were often misused or their benefits were extended to the wrong persons and institutions, as most beneficiaries were unaware of such financial support. Efforts by the Promoters had ensured that the funds reach the hands of deserving persons and institutions.”
“The hard work of the promoters helped in effectively implementing the madrassa modernization scheme. The benefits of the welfare schemes reached the grassroots only by the participation of Promoters. Unlike the previous years, study tools were distributed to 1,600 madrassas across the state,” Kerala Minority Education Cell state general secretary Musthafa Mundupara echoed the Promoters’ claim.
Meanwhile, petty politics from various quarters of the ruling front is alleged to have brought the delay. Kerala Minority Welfare Promoters’ Union state general secretary P K Abdul Salam said the Finance Department was deliberately delayed sanctioning of funds. “It was further delayed as the code of conduct came into effect during the Lok Sabha polls. If the concerned department was sincere, the funds could have been passed earlier. Nothing is done even after so many months,” he said.
“Welfare funds in the tune of crores allocated by the Centre have lapsed owing to the lax attitude of the concerned high officials,” he pointed out.
Minority Welfare Department director Dr P Naseer said the department was looking to disburse the honourarium before Christmas. “We have asked the respective district collectors to submit detailed reports on the works undertaken by the Promoters. Steps will be taken after receiving the reports,” Naseer added.