Najma Heptullah Minister of Minority Affairs
1.Whatever promised and planned by the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been achieved. Our focus has been increasing the coverage of the scholarships programmes for minority students, and today 46 per cent of girls are awarded scholarships. Skill development of minority youths has been our endeavour, and we have made much progress. There was a propaganda that the Minority Affairs Ministry will see a budget cut, but on the contrary, there has been an increase in budget allocation. This year we have got an additional `90 crore.
We launched the Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS) to address the skill development needs of minority communities. The Nai Manzil scheme was launched in 2015, and under it, bridge courses were offered by Jamia Milia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University. Under this initiative, 30,000 students have got vocational training. World Bank has given $50 million for the programme. My ministry launched the USTTAD programme, which aims at capacity building and updating the traditional skills of master craftsmen and artisans. We have roped in fashion designer Ritu Beri to help artisans give a new touch to their produce.
2. We have accomplished almost all tasks for the welfare of the minority population. However, proper execution of scholarship programmes is one of the challenges we have to look into. I am holding regular meetings to ensure funds are disbursed on time. As of now, 84 lakh students are benefitting from the pre-scholarship and post-scholarship programme. There have been complaints that the pre-matric scholarship schemes are not reaching the students. We will address the issue.
3. My objective is to propagate the good work being done by this government for the welfare of minorities and build confidence among them that we are committed to their cause. I can see a change in perception among people towards this government.
4. I leave this to the people. They will decide.