Uttarakhand, Delhi, Sikkim and Assam have not been using their funds meant for the minority development programmes. Recent data with the Centre shows that Jammu & Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh are also tightfisted in their use of Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) Funds.
A pan-India report on use of MsDP funds, with the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) shows that close to 41 per cent of the funds allotted for minority welfare remained unused. The MsDP, which was launched in the year 2008-09, is a flagship scheme of the MoMA for development of minority communities. It is being implemented through the States and Union territories in 90 Minority Concentration Districts.
“Uttar Pradesh with 45 minority concentration districts and Bihar with 20 such districts have ranked ninth and 13th in the MsDP performance index, which is worrisome,” said Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan. He reviewed the Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme and MSDP under the 11th plan with secretaries of the states and Union Territories, earlier this week.
“According to the data with us, the total utilisation of funds for the country stood at 59 per cent. We need to expedite the execution of the remaining projects so that the entire amount released is utilised at the earliest,” said Khan. Khan asked States to submit utilisation certificates for 60 per cent of the total release of Rs 646.42 crore during 2012-13, which were pending. “Those States who had not sent their plan proposals for the 12th Plan at the earliest, should submit them to get funds quickly,” said Khan.
The presentation by states showed that Uttar Pradesh did not start work on Indian Technology Institutes and was also ranked low on Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, scheme meant to provide self employment to villagers in minority blocks. Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, both states having been touted as successes by both the BJP and UPA, did not submit their data to the centre. The Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme and MSDP intend to improve education, opportunities, economic activities and living conditions of minorities.
Earlier this year, MoMA restructured the programme so that it could reach the needy. To ensure that the minorities which lived in the pockets, the ministry identified 710 blocks, 66 towns and 196 districts for the implementation of MsDP to improve the lot of minorities. Under this initiative, 24 schemes are covered and 11 ministries and departments are involved.