To counter the impression that the BJP Government in the State is apathetic to the interests of the minority community, the State minority welfare and backward area development minister Yashpal Arya has asked the officials to conduct special camps focused on minority welfare. He stressed while holding a meeting with the department officials in Dehradun on Wednesday that the minority development department officials should host such camps independent of those being organised by the State social welfare department.
He also urged the officers to give wide publicity to the minority welfare schemes being executed in the state to enable the intended beneficiaries to reap the benefits. He further said that the people’s representatives should be informed of the dates such camps would be hosted at least a fortnight in advance.
“The State Government is clear in its objective that more and more people should be brought within the scope of such welfare schemes,” he affirmed. He also asked them to shortlist the beneficiaries for the education loan, chief minister skill development scheme and minority employment scheme.
Referring to the Waqf Boards amassing huge chunk of property, the Minister said that they are not keeping their records in the manner they should.
He asked the officials to present the property details involving the Waqf Boards, including the properties allegedly encroached upon and also those now embroiled in litigation in the next fortnight.
He also asked them to follow up things which are now pending before the court by engaging professional lawyers.
To speed up development, the Minister asked the officials to do physical verification of the works being executed by the social welfare department.
He said that they should attach photographs to be taken before the works begin, during work and after completion of the works.
laying thrust on the execution of CMSDP (Chief Minister skill development programme) as an instrument in minority welfare, he said that the same should be implemented in the blocks which are still left out of the scheme while using the minority welfare fund.
He also reviewed the progress report of 15 - point- programme, meant for the welfare of the minority based in the State. He stressed on employment loan, averring that it is an important lever for the development of the minority youths.
Besides, Pandey asked the officials to embark on intensive plantation drives in and around the madarsas and the cemeteries of the State.
The meeting was attended among others by secretary Vijay Kumar Dhondiyal, additional secretary and director Minority Welfare Alok Shekhar Tiwari, deputy director Rayees Ahmed and senior finance officer Zameer Ahmed.