No shortage of funds for minority welfare schemes: Naqvi

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said there would be no dearth of funds for state governments' schemes aimed at empowerment of minorities and weaker sections.

Chairing a review meeting attended by ministers and secretaries of minorities welfare of southern states and Union Territories, he said, "We will provide funds for development activities of minorities, for the poor, and for weaker sections."

Asserting that the discussions during the meeting were "very positive and constructive", the Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) said, "We discussed in detail the socio-economic developmental programmes and those programmes for the empowerment of the Minorities in the country."
 

"As far as funds are concerned there is no shortage of funds for the state governments," he said.

Naqvi also said his ministry has proposed to set up 1,000 Sadbhavna Mandaps, which would function as community centres, for the benefit of the minority communities and weaker sections in coordination with state governments.

"The Sadbhavna Mandap is a very unique building were people from minority sections as well as from other communities will be the beneficiary," he said, adding "the state governments are very supportive (about this proposal)".

"Social activity, sports activities can take place in these Sadbhavna Mandaps. Even, at a time of natural disaster the people can take shelter there," Naqvi said.

To a question on fund allocation for the scheme, he said, "State government will send us the proposal, the ministry will grant the sanction."

The meeting was attended by ministers and officials from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry.

On attacks against minority communities and Dalits, he said, "I am completely against it...Law will take its course."

To a question on national security, he said, "The country is in safe hands. As far as the national security is concerned, it is priority of every Indian and nobody can destroy our unity and security."

On the Cauvery water row involving Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, he said, "The issue is in Court. Let us wait for the final verdict. The people's of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are very matured.I hope there will be some amicable solution between them.