Chandigarh.16
December,2019.Sardar Manjit Singh Rai, Hon’ble Member of National Commission
for Minorities (NCM), Government of India, New Delhi visited Chandigarh from
14th – 16th December, 2019 to review the progress of various schemes/programmes
covered under Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of
Minority Communities. Hon’ble Member, NCM held a meeting with the Commissioner
Municipal Corporation, ADC, Director Social Welfare, Superintendent of Police,
Director Higher/School Education representatives of the Minority Communities
and other senior officers of Chandigarh Administration.
Director Social
Welfare, Women & Child Development on behalf of the Chandigarh
Administration welcomed the Hon’ble Member and briefed the progress schemes/programmes
relating to the Minority Communities. Director Social Welfare apprised that the
minority population in UT, Chandigarh is approximately 19% of total population.
The Hon’ble Member
reviewed 15 Point Programme, and emphasized upon shifting of Anganwadi
Centres running in rented buildings to the Government Elementary School
Buildings/Government owned buildings, regular health check up of all children
enrolled under Anganwadi Centres for overall growth, proper disbursement of
Scholarship Schemes, formation of Self Help Groups for upliftment of Women of
Minority Community in convergence with youth, reservation in Government Housing
Schemes, Loan for Self Employment and Skill Training.
The Deputy Director,
ICDS informed that 450 Anganwadi Centres are running in the UT, Chandigarh, out
of which 171 Anganwadi Centres are running in Govt. buildings and 279 are in
rented accommodations. Hon’ble Member desired that all the AWCs should be
in Govt. owned buildings with provision of basic requirements. Director School
Education informed that in UT, Chandigarh, there are total 114 Govt. Schools
and 27 AWCs have already been shifted in the existing Govt. school buildings
and 10 more AWCs will be shifted shortly. He further assured that the
provision for remaining AWCs is being made in new school buildings.
Deputy Director, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan apprised the Hon’ble Member that,
mapping of all the Anganwadi Centres with Elementary Schools is in
progress. Commissioner, MC also apprised that MC is also providing one
room in community centres for running of AWCs.
Director Health
Services informed that funds to pregnant/lactating mothers under the scheme
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana have been disbursed upto October, 2019 and
data pertaining to minorities will be shared with the Commission. He
further informed that physical verification of Anganwadi children is done
regularly by a team of doctors in convergence with the Department of Social
Welfare and Education. The growth of children in AWCs is assessed with
height, weight and immunization.
Director Social
Welfare, also apprised that under the Integrated Child Development Services,
out of total 55204 enrolled children, pregnant/nursing mothers and adolescent
girls, 8011 belongs to minority communities who are benefitted under six
services i.e. supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-up, referral
services, pre-school non-formal education and Nutrition & Health Education
(NHED).
Director School
Education, also briefed about the Scholarship Schemes for the students
belonging to minority communities and informed that during the year 2018-19,
1464 students have been disbursed scholarship under Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and
Merit-cum-Means Schemes amounting to Rs.21.07 Lakhs and during the current
year, 1799 applications have been sent to the Ministry for disbursement of
scholarships. State Liaison Officer requested the Hon’ble Member to
take up the matter with Govt. of India regarding enhancement of
income criteria under scholarship schemes for Minorities, so that more minority
students can avail the benefits under the schemes. Further, Hon’ble
Member directed that in Madrassas basic education shall be provided in addition
to religious education.
It was also apprised
that, Chandigarh Scheduled Caste, Backward Classes & Minorities Finance
& Development Corporation has disbursed loan amounting to Rs.10.00 Lakh to
40 minority beneficiaries under Self Employment Scheme and 174 minority
beneficiaries have been imparted skill development training in different trades
during the current financial year. Superintendent of Police informed that
19% police personnel belong to different minority communities. Representative
of MC informed that 37 Self Help Groups for empowerment of Women have been made
and out of 370 beneficiaries 104 belong to minority communities.
Subsequently, Hon’ble Member gave directions to MC to conduct drives in
convergence with Employment Office and Lead Bank Manager in order to facilitate
loans in time bound manner for self employment of youth belonging to minority
community and for Self Help Groups.
The Hon’ble Member
acknowledged the efforts made by different departments of UT, Chandigarh for
the Welfare of Minorities and desired that the departments should ensure
effective implementation of the schemes by using social media platforms and
advocacy by sharing motivational stories.
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