Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the State government is committed to strengthening the minorities and ensuring their progress through education, skill development and job opportunities. He said that in strict compliance with religious sentiments, the State government will not allow new liquor shops to be opened in the State.
Chouhan was addressing a gathering during the foundation laying ceremony of Haj House here on Monday. He said the kuchcha road up to Haj House would be concretised. Haj flights would be operated both from Bhopal and Indore airports.
He directed that construction of Haj House be completed at the earliest. Greeting Qazis and guests from all over the State, Chouhan said that brotherhood, equality and mutual affection were the foundations of life. Religion teaches to live for and serve humanity, he said.
Describing education as the most important factor in development, Chouhan appealed to the minority community to educate their children. The State government has made full arrangements for education. Referring to Mukhyamantri Alpsankhyak Swarozgar Yojana and Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana, Chouhan said the State government would extend maximum assistance to youths belonging to the minority community to help them start their own business.
Chouhan said all sections of society should come forward to create an atmosphere where tendencies of dishonouring women were crushed.
Minorities Welfare Minister Ajay Vishnoi said even the Union government had lauded Madhya Pradesh government for implementation of programmes for minorities' development. MP and State BJP president Narendra Singh Tomar said this special occasion had come after a long wait. He said that Madhya Pradesh government had carried out works for every section's development without any discrimination or bias.
On the occasion, people with excellent service to community were conferred with State-level awards. Firoza Khan received Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Award and Azizuddin got Abdul Hameed Khan Award. State-level Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Award was conferred on Shaikh Riyazuddin Patel. Cheque of Rs 1 lakh was presented to Messrs Mehboob Associates, who has designed the Haj House.
Peer Sayeed Mian, Madhya Pradesh Haj Committee chairman Sanwar Patel, Arif Beg, Shahar Qazi Syed Mushtaqe Nadavi, MlAs Vishwas Sarang, Jitendra Daga and Dhurvnarayan Singh, office-bearers of Minorities Welfare Commission, Madarsa Board and Haj Committee, Qazis and Maulvis from various cities and large number minority community people were present on the occasion.