All India Muslim Minority Organization (ALMMO) has accused the State government of adopting a negligent attitude in spending the funds released by the Union Government for Minorities welfare.
Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, ALMMO President Syed Mukhtar Hussain said though the Central government had sanctioned Rs 587 crore for welfare of minorities in 2011-12 financial year, the State government has failed to spend the full amount, and it has spent only Rs 125 crore so far.
Hussain said that according to 2011 census, the population of minorities is about 84.66 lakhs in the state. He said that an amount of Rs 482,18,15,000 and 6,49,02, 000 were allotted under plan and non-plan respectively to minority welfare in 2012-13 Budget. He demanded the State government to properly spend the funds ear-marked to minority welfare in 2012-13 financial year. He demanded the Central government to immediately implement Justice Rajendar Sachar Committee recommendations in the country.
Hussain appealed to the Central and the State governments to take steps to instill confidence among minorities of being important stake holders in nation building. In order to give an exclusive attention to the problems of minorities and to find solutions to them in a coordinated fashion, the Central and State governments should implement various schemes for uplift of the minorities.
Former Telugu Desam state secretary M.A. Siddiqui demanded the State government to provide scholarships to minority students on par with BC students. He wanted it to construct buildings for hostels and residential schools for which a provision of Rs 3.5 Crore has been made in the 2012-13 budget.
APCC Minority Cell Advisory committee member, Sheraz Khan, congress leader Ilham Hussain and IMPP vice president Mohd Nawab were also present. (NSS)