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Centre approves Multi-Sectoral Development Programme for minorities
Aiming for the betterment of minorities, the Centre on March 27 approved Multi-Sectoral Development Programme for minority concentration districts with an estimated expenditure of Rs 3780.00 crore under 11th Five Year Plan.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs agreed on the programme which aims at improving the socio economic parameters and basic amenities to improve the quality of life of the people reducing imbalances in line with priority attached to inclusive growth.
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To give further thrust to the concept of inclusive growth, vital infrastructure like connecting roads, basic health infrastructure, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) centres, skill development and marketing facilities are covered under this programme to create economic opportunities.
The rural and semi-rural areas of the identified 90 minority concentration districts are to be given main attention and financial assistance will be provided to these districts to address the ‘development deficits’ that were either not met fully by existing schemes of the state or central government.
The programme will be implemented by the Panchayati Raj institutions, line departments and agencies or Scheduled Area Councils in accordance with the implementation mechanism in the State/UT.
There is also a provision of monitoring system and programme to review the need of any mid-term correction after two years of its implementation.
The fund will be allocated after the commitment from the State Government or UT Administration that they will constitute a State or District level committee for the implementation of Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the welfare of minorities.
Respective states and UT would also notify a department in the state and UT with clear responsibility to deal with the programme, and the department will have to set up IT enabled cell in exclusively to look after the implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of this programme.
Rs.1.2 billion has been allocated for 2007-08, as the programme is included in the 11th Five Year Plan. During this FYP, expenditure will be identified development deficits through a district specific plan for provision of better infrastructure for education, sanitation, pucca housing, drinking water and electricity supply, besides beneficiary oriented schemes for creating income generating opportunities.
Such programme is a welcome move by the centre to uplift the minorities who have been marginalised and need to be assisted to improve their living parameters by creating various infrastructure and economic opportunities.