Question : DEVELOPMENTAL WORKS IN MINORITY CONCENTRATION DISTRICTS

(a) the number of districts in the country where the population of the minorities is 50 or 40 or 45 or 30 or 35 percent etc., of the total population;

(b) the details of the developmental works related to minorities being carried out in those districts;

(c) whether the Union Government is carrying out any task for protecting the archaeological heritage sites as well as the history and culture in the minority dominated districts;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether education to the minorities is top agenda these days; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Union Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS(SHRI K. RAHMAN KHAN)

(a):As per 2001 Census, there are 151 districts in the country where the population of minorities is 25% and above. However, there are 90 Minority Concentration Districts (MCDs) where the Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) is being implemented. These MCDs have been identified on the basis of substantial minority population and backwardness parameters.

(b):The development works taken under MsDP in 90 MCDs relates to the provision of better infrastructure for education, health, sanitation, pucca housing, drinking water, besides beneficiary oriented schemes for creating income generating opportunities., connecting roads, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres, skill development and marketing facilities. During 11th Five Year Plan, district plans for Rs. 3733.90 crore and in the current year (2012-13 till date) district plans for Rs. 658.12 crore have been approved. Project-wise details of the units sanctioned under 11th Five Year plan and 2012-13 is annexed at Annexure-I.

(c)&(d):Archaelogical Survey of India is taking every care for protection and conservation of historical monuments of national importance in the country including minority dominated districts. The conservation work of these monuments is attended regularly and they are in a good state of preservation.

(e): Yes, Madam.

(f):Scholarships/fellowships have been given to the minorities under the four schemes of this Ministry during 11th Five Year Plan. Under Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme 1,21,91,861 scholarships, under Post-Matric scholarship scheme 17,87,122 scholarships, under Merit-cum-Means based scholarship scheme total 1,62,967 scholarships and under Maulana Azad National Fellowship total 4534 fellowships have been sanctioned.

Apart from this Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) is also implementing scholarship scheme for meritorious girls and giving grants to institutions working for education amongs minorities. Under MsDP infrastructural support to the educational institutions in the form of Additional Class-Rooms, School-bildings, Hostels, Teaching equipments, Laboratories etc. are being provided.