Modi averse to 'communal budgeting' of funds

Articulating his views on minorities at the meeting of the National Developmental council (NDC) here today, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi opposed the proposal to earmark 15% targets and outlays under central schemes for the minorities in the 11th plan.

Modi, who is likely to be re-elected for the third term on Sunday, said the new 15 point programme that focuses on earmarking outlays of central schemes for the minority communities, "needs to be reviewed in the interest of maintaining the social fabric of the nation."

He said "such discrimination, amongst the eligible beneficiaries, for flow of funds based on minority status, will not help the cause of taking the people of India together on the path of development."

Terming the allocations for minorities as "communal budgeting", Modi said the correct criteria for flow of funds should be based on the principle of equity by taking only socio-economic factors.

Also the implementation of all these central programmes and plans, he said, should be left to the states.