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In this article, we will discuss the 15 Point Programme for Minority Welfare, a comprehensive plan that encompasses 24 schemes/initiatives from 11 different Ministries/Departments implemented across the country, including in Andhra Pradesh. This programme mandates the placement of a particular proportion of development projects in minority concentration areas to ensure that the benefits of various government initiatives are distributed evenly to minorities. It also stipulates that minorities get 15% of all aims and expenditures under various initiatives. Some of the plans and activities in this programme are only available to minorities. The following are the details of the schemes and initiatives covered under the programme:
About the 15 Point Programme
The Union Minister for Minority Affairs recently spoke in the Lok Sabha about the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities (PM’s New 15 PP). PM’s New 15 PP is an umbrella programme executed across the country and covers numerous schemes/initiatives of the collaborating Ministries/Departments.
MinoritiesÂ
Under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Zoroastrians (Parsis) were designated minority communities.
Constitutional ProvisionsÂ
The term “minority” in the Indian Constitution is not defined. On the other hand, the Constitution solely recognises religious and linguistic minorities.
Article 29: States that every group of people residing in any area of India who speaks a different language, script, or culture has the right to preserve that language, script, or culture.
Article 30: All minorities have the freedom to create and run educational institutions of their choice under this article.
350-B Article: Initially, there was no provision in the Indian Constitution for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities. However, Article 350-B was added to the Constitution by the Seventh Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956.
Aim
To ensure that the benefits of various government programmes for the poor reach the most vulnerable members of minority populations.
It also stipulates that minorities should get 15% of all aims and expenditures under various initiatives.
Key Outcome
The relevant Ministries/Departments constantly assess the effectiveness of schemes/initiatives.
A substantial minority population has been utilised to identify districts that are relatively behind in the PM’s New 15 PP.
Minority Concentration Districts are defined as districts where minority communities account for at least 25% of the overall population (MCDs)
Objectives of the 15 Point Programme
Through existing and new schemes, expanded credit support for self-employment, and recruitment to State and Central Government jobs in regions with significant minority populations, the goal of this scheme is to improve educational possibilities and ensure an equitable share for minorities in economic activity and employment.
The programme is structured into four objectives, each of which is subdivided into focus areas with schemes. The following are some of them:
1. Increasing Educational Opportunities
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) services are available equitable.
Access to School Education is being improved.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme, etc.
Central aid for recruiting and deploying Urdu language teachers will provide more resources for teaching Urdu.
Bringing Madarsa Education into the 21st Century.
Scholarships for deserving students from underrepresented groups.
The Maulana Azad Education Foundation is working to improve educational facilities.
2. Fair Participation in Economic Activities and Employment
Wage and Self-Employment Poor people’s employment.
Technical training can help you improve your skills.
- Upgrade technical institutions to ‘Centres of Excellence’ in locations with a high concentration of minority communities.
- Credit support for economic activity has increased.
The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation is being strengthened (NMDFC).
Assuring that a reasonable proportion of priority sector credit goes to minority populations.
Recruitment to the State and Federal Governments.
3. Minority’s living conditions are being improved
In rural housing development, everyone gets a fair share.
Slums populated by ethnic communities are getting better.
4. Avoidance and Control of Communal Riots
Counteraction of communal incidents.
In communally sensitive and riot-prone locations, posting an effective, unbiased, and secular record is required.
Communal offences are prosecuted.
Victims of communal disturbances are being rehabilitated.
Conclusion
The UPA government launched the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Plan in 2005. Its goal is to ensure the well-being of religious minorities.
Opportunities for education and employment are expanding.
Living conditions are being improved.
Communal riot prevention and control.
Through existing and new schemes, increased credit support for self-employment, and recruitment to State and Central Government jobs in districts with significant minority populations, the goal of this scheme is to improve educational possibilities and ensure a fair proportion of minorities in economic activity and employment. The central government has set aside 15% of the plan’s budget to implement the 15 criteria relating to various ministries.
