In terms of eligibility criteria in comparison with other weaker sections, minorities continue to be discriminated against at the policy level, experts opined.
Speakers at a meeting on `Development of Minorities in Telangana State ¬ Possibilities and Challenges’ at Lakdi-ka-pul, cited the example of schemes rolled out by the Centre.
“The income ceiling for the minorities for pre-matric scholarships is Rs one lakh, for post-matric is Rs 2 lakh and for merit cum means is Rs 2.5 lakh. On the other hand for the OBC creamy layer it is Rs 4.5 lakh per annum. There must be parity in the ceiling,” said MIM legislator Syed Amin Jafri.
He also underlined the clear differences in age restrictions in availing bankable schemes. “While the SCs and the STs have a five-year age relaxation, there is no such provision for minorities. For minorities, the age limit for this scheme is between ages 21 and 40, whereas that for other communities is 21 and 45. The number of beneficiaries has decreased because of this and also because of an income ceiling of Rs 75,000 per annum. This is not right,“ he said.
According to analysts, the role of the AP state minorities finance corporation was trim down to that of a “post office“, with no schemes of financial inclusion. They expressed apprehension over the abysmal utilisation of budget for the welfare of the minorities.
“There are only three months for the budget to lapse. In these circumstances, the Telangana government must increase the allocation for the next financial year to Rs 2,000 crore,” an analyst reasoned.
According to bureaucrat Mohammed A Abid, many bureaucrats were under the impression that schemes for minorities were a “fad” and not a part of the “mainstream“.
“For instance, the wakf act is not taught in the Lal Bahadur Shastri, National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. Sooner or later the two states will start recruiting. Muslims should see how they can enter lower judicial services and police,” he said.