Under repeated opposition attack for alleged neglect of minorities, the Modi government has increased the Minority Affairs Ministry's budget for the next fiscal by nearly 10 percent to Rs 4195.48 crore from Rs 3827.25 crore during the current financial year.
Of this, Rs 2053.54 crore has been earmarked for educational empowerment of minorities, while Rs 1200 crore and Rs 634.95 crore has been kept aside for implementation of multi-sectoral development programme and skill development initiatives respectively.
Commenting on the increase of Rs 368.23 crore in budgetary allocation for the minorities, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it was after many years that the budget of the ministry has been increased "significantly".
"After many years, the Minority Affairs Ministry's budget has been increased by more than Rs 368 crore. It is Rs 4195.48 crore for 2017-18 from Rs 3827.25 in 2016-17. This significant increase in budget will help in empowerment of minorities. Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaitley," Naqvi said.
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