(a) whether the 12th Five Year Plan aims at appropriately addressing perceptions of
discrimination and alienation of the muslim community;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the poverty ratio for muslims is 33.9 per cent in urban areas, especially
in States like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar and West Bengal;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise; and
(e) the corrective steps being taken by the Union Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI NINONG ERING)
(a) & (b): Yes Madam. An important concern vis-Ã -vis the Muslim community is the
perception of discrimination and alienation. Innovative steps are proposed in the
12th Five Year Plan to reduce this perception such as expanding facilitators in Muslim
concentration villages and towns to act as interfaces between the community and the
state institutions. Youth leadership programmes are also be initiated to strengthen
this process. The 12th Five Year Plan document envisages minorities’ empowerment through
their active participation in the developmental process as participants and not as
passive recipients of developmental benefits. The Twelfth Plan vision for faster, more
inclusive and sustainable growth mandates that bold and creative affirmative action
must be undertaken to ensure inclusion of different socio-religious communities and
to ensure fulfillment of their social, economic and political needs.
(c) & (d): The draft 12th Five Year Plan document approved by National Development
Council on 27th December, 2012 recognizes that the poverty ratio for Muslims was
33.9 percent in urban areas, especially on account of states such as Uttar Pradesh,
Gujarat, Bihar and West Bengal. The poverty ratio as on 2009-10 in Uttar Pradesh is
49.5%, in Gujarat 42.4%, in Bihar 56.5% and in West Bengal 34.9%. The reason being
attributed for this is the low literacy rate and work participation rate amongst Muslims
compared to the other minority communities.
(e): The Ministry has proposed a Skill Development scheme for minorities during the
12th Plan to enhance the potential for employment and improve the economic situation
of minorities including Muslim community. Moreover, National Minorities Development &
Finance Corporation (NMDFC) also gives concessional loans for self employment and income
generating activities, implements a vocational training scheme to impart skills to
targeted beneficiaries and also gives marketing assistance to artisans to exhibit and
sell their products. The Priority Sector Lending has also helped minorities to secure
hassle free loans. These steps will be instrumental in economic development of minorities.