Minority panel to watch progress of govt welfare schemes, tour state

“We are not crossing our domain. It is laid down in our act that the commission can undertake monitoring of welfare schemes for minorities. Till date it was not done by the commission but we have started it,” Shafi Azmi, member and spokesperson of the state minorities commission, said.

The commission has undertaken a tour of six divisions in June and held meetings with the officials. “We did not do any physical verification of the schemes and did not meet the beneficiaries. It was an interaction with officials to get a feel about the schemes,” Azmi said.

During the interaction, the officials were found unaware of several welfare schemes about minorities, Azmi said. “Oral instructions were given and it has now been decided to go to the ground and get a real picture,” he said..

After physical verification of earmarking 20 per cent quota for minorities in government welfare schemes, the commission will send its report to the state government where it will also recommend action against lax officials. The flagship scheme was started in August last year in which 20 per cent quota in 85 schemes of 30 departments was earmarked for minorities.

“The officials in 2013 informed us that the scheme was launched in between and most of the targets were achieved. This year, a close watch will be kept on implementation of the scheme. At least we should be aware about the welfare of the minorities,” Azmi said.

He also claimed that construction of boundary walls for graveyards is also a major scheme with Rs 300 crore already allocated for its implementation.

“It will end several disputes that arise due to land demarcation in various localities,” he said.