Is Maharashtra Govt. planning to launch new schemes for Muslim’s upliftment?

After Justice Sachar Commission Report, the Centre and State Governments allotted thousands of rupees of funds to the minority welfare departments. Major funds have been spent on the Muslim community because Muslims are in the majority in the minority communities in India and Maharashtra. Both Governments have also made specific provisions for the Muslim community. All these benefits were constituted after several socio-economic studies across India and its respective States. 

In Maharashtra, the Minority Ministry spent massive funds for the development of the minority communities. Currently, the Muslim community benefited under various schemes for education, health and employment. All age groups of the community are getting benefited. Following are the schemes under members of Muslims community take advantage -

• Madrassa Modernization Scheme brings the madrassa students to the mainstream education system by freely teaching them Science, Maths, Sociology, Hindi, Marathi and English along with Islamic education. Under this scheme, the department provides scholarships to 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th students to encourage them to enter normal schools. In addition, experts provide industrial training to improve madrassa students' economic status, educational quality and employability.

• Academy for Urdu literature was formed for the development of the Urdu language. The department provides funds to publish and promote Urdu literature. A total of fifteen members, of which ten are non-Government members, run the academy. Every year, the department spends lakhs of rupees on workshops, reading rooms, libraries, Urdu magazines etc.

• Economically backwards Muslims are benefited under Maulana Azad Minority Economic Development Corporation Limited. The corporation was formed -

1. To implement various loan schemes and training for the social and economic upliftment of economically backward minorities.

2. To provide assistance in the form of business loans to the educated unemployed belonging to the economically weaker section of the minority communities.

3. To provide loans for education to students belonging to minority communities.

4. To provide free Business / Vocational Trainings.

5. To implement micro-credit schemes for the economic upliftment of women belonging to minority groups.

• Islamic educational institutes are getting funds to improve their quality of education by providing basic facilities.

• Muslim students are getting funds under the "Padho Pardesh" - Scheme for their overseas Studies.

• Formation of Maulana Azad Educational Foundation, which is funded by the Central Government.

• Muslim candidates are getting funds for the preparation of the Union and State Public Service Commission's examinations and other Government exams to increase their count in the Government services.

• Maharashtra State Haj Committee was established on 29.01.1990 for the convenience of Muslim pilgrims going on the Haj pilgrimage.

• Muslim women and youths are getting free training for skill development by Maharashtra State Skill Development Society, Mumbai.

• Muslim women are getting benefited from Self Help Group Scheme in various cities of Maharashtra. The Government provides funds every year to these groups via Women Economic Development Corporation.

• Maharashtra State Wakf Tribunal was formed for the dispute of Wakf properties. 

• Maharashtra State Waqf Board was formed to regulate Waqf properties.

Above are the major programs run by the Maharashtra Government under the Minority Ministry for the development of minority communities. Muslims are at the top in the count of beneficiaries. Every year, the Maharashtra Government is gradually increasing the allocation of funds to the Minority Ministry. Muslims have not only benefited from Minority Ministry but also other Ministries like the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Labour, Education, Health etc. ministries. As a result, a question arises why the department issued the GR for the study of the socio-economic condition of Muslims in Maharashtra.