A portal was today launched to provide Jain community across the country information about various provisions made by the government for their uplift after they were provide minority status last year and also to galvanise and educate them on social and developmental issues.
The portal - www.Jass.In - was inaugurated by Maharashtra's Minority Affairs Minister Eknath Khadse, who praised the efforts of Shri Jain Alpsankhyak Sewa Sansthan (JASS), an NGO, which has designed and developed the portal.
The portal would facilitate the Jains across the country to get information about various provisions made by the government for the uplift of the community, especially after it was accorded the minority status last year, said Sanjay Shah, a member of the government-appointed Jain district minority development panel. He is also the vice president of JASS.
In January 2014, the Jain community was granted minority status by the Central government that enabled them to avail benefits in government schemes and programmes.
"There is a large chunk of our community members who are unaware of their rights and the various initiatives taken by the Central and state governments for the uplift of the community," Shah said.
"Apart from the state-provided facilities, anyone who becomes our member would be provided sufficient discount on medical treatment, scholarships, free coaching classes, helping in studying abroad etc," he said while claiming that already 60,000 people from the community have become members of the portal.
"We have also decided to run few Gaushalas, to which our minister Khadseji has assured to help us," he said.
JASS also aims to open 100 branches across the state and then expand its wings all over the country by tying-up with local Jain community centres.
