Our special correspondent
NEW DELHI: Government has expressed satisfaction over the increasing share of minorities in jobs. The of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday reviewed the progress of minorities in recent years, particularly the functioning of various schemes of ministry of Minority Affairs. Prime Minister’s 15-point programme for the welfare of minorities, and progress of different scholarship schemes of the ministry were also reviewed.
Official data shows that share of minorities in jobs has gone up to 7.9 per cent in 2009-10 from 6.7 per cent in 2006-07 while their share in priority lending has moved up to 13.01 per cent.
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Meanwhile Minister for Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid today informed Lok Sabha that the various functions expected to be discharged under the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities have been carried out fully and effectively. He said that no change was envisaged by the Government for the programme.
Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme, which was announced in June, 2006, was amended in October, 2009 for incorporating a few schemes under the programme and for inclusion of Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly in the State and district level committees for implementation of the programme.
The Programme provides that, wherever possible, 15% of targets and outlays under various schemes should be earmarked for minorities.