Eight-fold rise in allocation for minority welfare in last 12 years: WB CM Mamata Banerjee
Speaking in the Assembly, the CM said the allocated expenditure for the state Minority Affairs Department in the 2023-24 financial year is Rs 4,233 crore against Rs 472 crore in 2010-11.
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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the government led by her is doing its best for the welfare of minorities in West Bengal as the allocation of funds for these communities saw at least an eight-fold increase since 2011 when the Trinamool Congress came to power in the state. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the government led by her is doing its best for the welfare of minorities in West Bengal as the allocation of funds for these communities saw at least an eight-fold increase since 2011 when the Trinamool Congress came to power in the state.
Speaking in the Assembly, the CM said the allocated expenditure for the state Minority Affairs Department in the 2023-24 financial year is Rs 4,233 crore against Rs 472 crore in 2010-11. “We spent Rs 855 crore for minority area development alone. Many people are saying several things but the truth is that we are doing our best for the minority communities,” said Banerjee.
“Khareji madrasas are independent Islamic educational institutions and are not affiliated with the West Bengal Board of Madrasa Education (WBBME). Unlike government-aided madrasas, they do not receive financial assistance from the government and have their own curriculum, teaching methodologies and degrees. They play a crucial role in offering Islamic education to the community, preserving cultural and religious heritage.”
She further said, “Nearly 5 lakh students enrolled in various courses are supported by thousands of teaching and non-teaching staff. In order to modernise these madrasas and integrate them into the mainstream society, steps are necessary to provide basic infrastructure and facilities, offer formal and computerised education, impart vocational skills and spoken English training, besides encouraging participation in sports activities.”
The government, she said, has decided that a state-level high-powered committee will be constituted to survey the Khareji madrasas in Bengal to improve educational infrastructure and promote the overall development of students.
The committee will comprise experts, educationists, government officials, and members of the Muslim community, she said, adding it will submit its report to the state government within six months on taking forward the plan for the overall development of these madrasas.
The state government intends to recognise all unaided madrasas that applied for recognition in 2013-2014 and fulfill the criteria, she said.
The CM also announced a government scheme to promote studies in Santhali and Rajbanshi languages. The government is committed to further promoting sub-regional languages like Santhali, Rajbanshi, Nepali etc. in schools, Banerjee said.
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