By Andalib Akhter / New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP government at centre has decided to launch mid-day meal scheme in Madrasas across the country. The announcement from government has come ahead of the Assembly elections in five states in different parts of the country.
Talking to media persons after addressing the annual conference of state minorities commissions, Union Minister for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Naqvi said that the decision to provide mid-day meal at recognised Madrasas was taken during the meeting of the general body of Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MEAF) held on December 29, 2016.
During the meeting, the MAEF general body had also decided to consider grant-in-aid scheme for such madrasas.
“The madrasas which provide mainstream education like science, maths, we should help them, give mid-day meal there.
We took a decision over a week ago,” Naqvi said. He said the Ministry has been discussing the issue with representatives of various such madrasas and urged them to offer suggestions in this regard.
Naqvi said it was wrong to think that madrasas were not part of India and asserted most of them are doing a good job.
Earlier Naqvi reiterated government’s comitment to empower minorities socially, economically and educationally.
He said NDA government’s new scheme’s Nai Manzil, Nai Roshni and Seekho aur Kamao had given great benefit to minorities. Inaugurating the Annual Conference of State Minorities Commission in New Delhi today Mr Naqvi said, communal harmony is essential for development of country.
The day long conference focuses upon Development of the Minorities. The Conference, which, is held every year on a theme which the National Commission for Minorities considers as relevant and important to the Minorities and the State Minorities Commissions, and NGOs dealing with minority issues.
The conference was attended by representatives of states’ minority commission, National Commission for Minorities chairman Naseem Ahmad, its member Praveen Davar, secretary Amrendra Sinha and others