Question : PM S15 - POINT PROGRAMME

(a) the aims and objectives of Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme for the welfare of minorities including the details of 15-Points and the schemes included for the purpose;

(b) whether the Government has reviewed/ evaluated the physical and financial performance of the programme and if so, the details of physical and financial achievements made under the schemes included in the programme;

(c) Whether the Government proposes to remodel the said programme for its effective implementation; and

(d) If so, the details thereof and the changes likely to be made in the said programme and the steps taken by the Gove- rnment in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a) The aim of Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme (PM’s 15-PP) is to ensure that the benefits of various government schemes for the underprivileged reach the disadvantaged sections of the minority communities. In order to ensure that the benefits of various Government schemes flow equitably to minorities, this programme envisages location of a certain proportion of development projects in minority concentration areas. It also provides that, wherever possible, 15% of tar- gets and outlays under various schemes should be earmarked for minorities.

The objectives of the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme are as below:-

(i) Enhancing opportunities for education.

(ii) Ensuring an equitable share for minorities in economic activities and employment, through existing and new schemes, enhanced credit support for self-employment, and recruitment to State and Central Government jobs.

(iii) Improving the conditions of living of minorities by ensuring an appropriate share for them in infrastructure development schemes.

(iv) Prevention and control of communal disharmony and violence.

The details of 15-Points and the schemes included under this programme are at Annexure.

(b) Ministry of Minority Affairs being the nodal Ministry for Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme, reviews and monitors the progress of implementation of various schemes/ initiatives included under this programme which are being implemented by different Ministries, in review meetings held on quarterly basis under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Minority Affairs) with the Nodal Officers of concerned Ministries/ Departments. The progress of implementation of the programme is monitored by a Committee of Secretaries once in six months and a report is submitted to the Cabinet.

The details of physical and financial achievements made under the schemes since inception of the programme is given in Annexure.

(c) and (d) The concerned Ministries/ departments have been requested to evaluate the programmes/ schemes in order to assess their impact on minorities. The corrective measures are contingent upon the outcome of the evaluation reports.