Hyderabad: At a time when funds are very much needed for the implementation of various welfare schemes for Minorities, Finance Dept. stopped the release of budget for the Dept. of Minorities Welfare. The reason being quoted is that there is no money available with the Govt. for the payment of salaries to Govt. employees for the month of December.
It may be noted that during the current financial year, a sum of Rs. 1130 crore was allocated for the Dept. of Minorities Welfare but so far, only Rs. 400 crore was released. Three months are left for the completion of financial year. The funds for Shaadi Mubarak Scheme, Overseas Scholarship, fee reimbursement and post matric scholarship are not available. In this manner, thousands of beneficiaries would be deprived of getting money.
Govt. had allocated Rs. 50 crore for the implementation of Shaadi Mubarak Scheme. After releasing the amounts for 700 applicants, the budget was stopped. The pending applications for Shaadi Mubarak Scheme are more than 5700. Out of 210 students selected for overseas scholarships, Rs. 5 lakh was released to only 110 students. The bills of these students are pending with the treasury. In the event of stopping the budget, not a single student of overseas scholarship scheme would be able to get money. The bills for reimbursement of fees are more than Rs. 28 crore. Even these have been stopped.
It is reported that the implementation of welfare schemes may not be possible for another one or two months. Meanwhile, Secretary and Director of Minorities Welfare Department have requested the Govt. to release amounts at least to the extent of approved applications so that thousands of beneficiaries could benefit out of it.
–Siasat News