To respect the minority communities' rights is the responsibility of State and society as well. The Constitution of India also speaks on it. On this occasion one should take a pledge to respect minorities and their rights. The State is also committed to protect the rights of minority communities. These views were expressed by the Chief Minister Harish Rawat while addressing a gathering on the occasion of Minorities Rights Day at Chief Minister residence on Sunday.
He said that "our culture, language and faith can be different but we should pay respect to each other. By doing this we can also become associated with each other. There is no law bigger than humanity", he said. To apprise the minority communities of the State Government's minority welfare schemes, CM Rawat said that various schemes are being implemented for the welfare of minority comjmunities. "Under Mere Buzurg Mere Teerth scheme we would start pilgrimage for Hemkunth Sahib and Ajmer Sharif. Guru Govind Singhji’s Prakash Parv will be celebrated across the State. State would also install a statue of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in one park of the State", said Rawat. He further said that Madarsa will be upgraded with latest and technical education. Religious knowledge along with basic education is also necessary. State Government would make policy to help Christian community’s old college and schools, he declared.
Under MSDP a project worth `90 crore is being sent to the Union Government. To promote girls education among Muslims and other minorities, State Government is introducing special scholarship for the girls. To make them competent to face competitive exams state government is already providing help to minority students. "We have already issued advertisement for the recruitment of Punjabi and Urdu teachers. Punjabi and Urdu academy will also be established in the State. For the skill development of the minority community youth we have already made weavers council. Officers have been categorically asked to make sure no encroachment on graveyard (Qabristan) land." Chief Minister also interacted with minority community members of Haridwar, Doiwala and Rudrapur through video conferencing.
State Minority commission chairman Narendrajeet Singh Bindra said that this year minority commission has received 77 complaints out of which 56 have already been addressed so far. For the promotion of higher education in students of minority communities, state is already providing interest-free education loan upto `five lakh. State has already instructed each department to spend 15 percent of their budget on minotiry welfare schemes, he added.
On the occasion Cabinet minister Preetam Singh, Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli, State women commission chairperson Sarojini Kaintura, deputy chairperson Satish John, DGP MA Ganapathy, secretary Dr Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh and other public representatives were also present.