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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in respect of programmes, schemes and initiatives for minorities
The Ministry of Minority Affairs was created on 29thJanuary, 2006 to ensure a focused approach to the issues related to the minorities and to play a pivotal role in the overall policy, planning, coordination, evaluation and review of the regulatory and development programmes for the benefit of the minority communities. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) have been notified as minority communities under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
Q. I
: When was the Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare. of Minorities revised and what is new about it?
The Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities was announced in June, 2006. It is a comprehensive programme of affirmative action. It envisages location of a certain proportion of development projects in minority concentration areas for ensuring that the benefits of the schemes. included in the programme flow equitably to the minorities. It provides that, wherever possible, 15% of targets and outlays under various schemes should be earmarked for the minorities.
Q. 2 What are the schemes included in the Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme which are considered amenable to earmarking?
Ans. Nine schemes included in the new programme are considered amenable to
carmarking. They are:
(1) Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme by providing services through Anganwadi Centres
(2) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
(3) Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya
(4) Swamjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY)
(5) Swam Jayanti Shahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY)
(6) Upgradation of existing Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Centres of Excellence.
(7) Bank credit under priority sector lending.
(8) Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY)
(9) Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)
Q. 3
: What are the schemes of the Ministry for the development of the minority communities?
Minority B
