Reaching out to the minority community in Kerala, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tonight said the Centre gives high priority to the uplift of the community.
44 per cent population in the state is of the minority community and it is a "big chunk", the minister said, adding, "our responsibility and duty for their empowerment is high" and would do whatever possible for their uplift.
The Centre was "serious and committed" for uplift and improvement of all sections of society, he said.
The minister is here to have a ground-level assessment of implementation of various schemes Central government's schemes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to empower minorities, backwards, dalits, poor sections of the society, Naqvi told reporters after holding discussions with the Kerala Minority Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali.
Describing the meeting as "very fruitful", he said "we discussed various schemes relating to empowerment of the minorities in the state.
Ali asked the Centre to favourably consider their plea for enhancing scholarships for the state.
Naqvi, who will be visiting Telangana next, tonight held discussions with Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Mohamood Ali here.
