In tune with the thrust given to the welfare of various vulnerable sections, the budget allocation for minorities has more than doubled and an amount of Rs.1,027 crore has been proposed for 2013-14 as against Rs.488 crore provided last year.
Better infrastructure
Referring to minority welfare, Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy said the government was according priority to promote education amongst minority children, particularly girls, to accelerate the development of minorities.
He said focus would be given to strengthen economic support schemes, Self-Help Group movement, training and skill development programmes, better marketing and infrastructure support.
New posts sanctioned
As many as 69 new posts have been sanctioned for the newly created office of the Commissioner for Minorities Welfare at the State headquarters and in the districts.
“The administrative machinery will now be in place to effectively implement the stupendous increase in the outlay,” he added.
Mr. Reddy said pre and post-metric hostels and residential schools had been established in 12 minority-concentrated districts.
The government also set up three district-level full-fledged residential coaching centres for minorities at Kadapa, Nizamabad and Pileru (Chittoor) for improving the participation and performance of minorities in competitive examinations.
