Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Thursday extended greetings to the Muslim brethren on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
“On the auspicious occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of the Holy Prophet Mohammad, I extend my greetings and best wishes to the people of Andhra Pradesh, particularly the Muslim brethren. May the message of universal peace, compassion, tolerance and service to humanity preached by the Holy Prophet inspire us. Let us all live in peace, happiness, harmony and unity,” the Chief Minister said in a message.
Kiran Kumar Reddy said Prophet Mohammad continues to illuminate the lives of people and remain an abiding source of spiritual strength for all humanity. He said the teachings of the Prophet proclaiming the oneness of God and compassion to fellow human beings are eternal. “His life and work inspired us to spread peace, love and tolerance,” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to welfare and development of the Minorities. He said his government has launched many measures for the educational and social upliftment of the Muslim minorities and stand by all the assurances. He said another Haj House is coming up near the Shamshabad Airport and he has sanctioned Rs 3 crore towards this. He said the new Haj House being built in a sprawling area would have all the facilities and would be nearer to the airport and a study centre would be established in this Haj House.
Kiran Kumar Reddy said Rs 489 crore has been sanctioned in this year’s budget for Minorities Welfare. to the minority students. He said the State Government was taking all steps to see that all Muslim children were given proper education and admitted to the schools.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government created a separate Minority Welfare Department for the Welfare and Development of Minorities and a Commissionerate for Welfare was also created. The APSMFC (Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Finance Corporation), Urdu Academy, AP State Minorities Commission, Haj Committee and Wakf Board were also revamped to develop minorities.
Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the scholarships for minorities which was just Rs 2 crore for 17,000 children during 2004-05 has been hiked to Rs 230 crs covering 1.50 lakh students. Mess charges for Muslim students have also been hiked. He said in addition to the present competitive exams coaching centres for minorities in Guntur, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Kurnool, the government has decided to open three more centres in Nizamabad, Chittoor and Kadapa. A special study circle will also be set up for Muslim students in old city. Marriage incentives for Muslims have been hiked from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000.
—Agencies