Times
of India: Mumbai: Sunday, 20 December 2015.
A query
through an RTI application has revealed that the state government has not
utilized a single paisa out of Rs 17.5 crore in 2015-16 earmarked for minority
area development scheme by the state minority development department. The funds
are aimed at improving infrastructure in minority-dominated villages. Many
community leaders said they are shocked but not surprised as the BJP-Sena
government is committed to its "anti-minority" agenda and following
it.
RTI activist
and general secretary of All-India Milli Council (Maharashtra) M A Khalid had
sought information from the state minority development department about the
status of several schemes being run for welfare of the minorities. Replying to
the question about funds allocated for minority rural area development scheme,
the department said that, out of Rs 17.50 crore earmarked for the scheme in
2015-16, nothing has been spent. "I am not surprised as this is expected
from an anti-minority government. The BJP wants minorities, especially Muslims,
to remain economically and politically marginalized. But what is more shocking
is the silence of Muslim legislators who don't question the government for its
lapse on non-implementation of the schemes for welfare of the minorities,"
said Awami Vikas Party president Shamsher Khan Pathan.
Khalid said
that the BJP's slogan Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas sound hollow as several schemes
for minority welfare begun by the previous government have either been scrapped
or not provided funds. Minority affairs ministers, both in the state and at
Centre, have repeatedly claimed that they have been instructed by PM Modi to
focus on the development of the minorities.
.JPG)
.JPG)
