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Journalism of Courage
Karnataka minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan Monday ordered an inquiry into how the Department of Minority Welfare ended up paying a monthly salary of Rs 4 lakh to an employee running a helpline to provide information on government schemes for the last one year when the BJP ruled the state.
After a review meeting, Zameer, who holds the Housing, Wakf and Minority Welfare portfolios in the Congress government, asked,” When Rs 2.5 crore is being spent every year for (the regular) helplines, what is the use of having a separate helpline and who is this person drawing a higher salary than that of the chief secretary of Karnataka?”
“Investigate why such an enormous salary was paid, and I need a report at the earliest,” he directed the department officials.
Zameer also sought details of the works carried out under the department in the last five years and ordered the construction of new hostels for minorities. “We are spending Rs 27 crore for 18,800 minority students who were earlier unable to get hostel accommodation,” he said and asked officials to identify the lands to build these hostels.
When officials informed him that 126 ‘shaadi malls’ (convention centres primarily for marriages) still needed to be completed and Rs 56 crore funds were required, Zameer assured he would bring in funds.
Also, during the meeting, it was decided to convert the Haj Bhavan in Bengaluru into a training centre for candidates from minority communities appearing for competitive examinations.
The minister instructed officials to ensure that children from minority communities do not drop out of educational institutions or colleges, especially during their higher studies.
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