The State government is making all efforts to implement the Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Deputy Commissioner P.C Jaffer has said.
Speaking at a meeting to receive suggestions from non-governmental organisations and community organisations, at the zilla panchayat here on Monday, he said that under the new project, clusters would be developed in cities where the minority population exceeded 10,000 in a particular area. Dr. Jaffer said that Bidar and Gulbarga were among the 90 districts in India where the programme was being implemented.
He said that the programme aimed to provide minorities with access to ‘roti kapada aur makan’. As of now, Bidar and Humnabad had been identified for some projects under the MsDP programme.
He said that last year, they focussed on housing, health and anganwadis. This year’s project proposal was almost ready and it would be forwarded to the government in a month.
Demands
Various suggestions and demands were made at the meeting.
Some community leaders said beneficiaries should be selected after conducting surveys in their locality. There were complaints of delays in distribution of caste certificates, ration cards and student scholarships. Allegations were made that officials in panchayat institutions and urban local bodies tended to divert funds meant for minorities to other schemes.
The Deputy Commissioner was asked to instruct officials of the Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation and banks to speed up loan disbursal to minorities. More Urdu schools and development of existing schools were sought.
The Deputy Commissioner was urged to instruct the district surgeon to improve facilities at the district hospital and introduce CT scan and other facilities.
