The Hindu : National : HRD Ministry sets up special unit for minority education

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Monday, Jul 05, 2004

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National

HRD Ministry sets up special unit for minority education

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 4. The Union Human Resource Development Minister, Arjun Singh, today announced the setting up of a separate unit within his Ministry to focus on the problems of minority education, particularly that of girls. He suggested fulfilling the commitments on minority education in the Common Minimum Programme within four months.

Expressing concern over lack of focus on primary education of the minorities in the past years, Mr. Singh said the institutional arrangement would be answerable to the people and Parliament. "The unit will only be given the responsibility of minority education,'' Mr. Singh said at the conclusion of the second day of dialogue on "Minority Welfare and Education,'' here.

Mr. Singh said the new system would be on the lines of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

While minority welfare and education are part of the Common Minimum Programme, creating a new set-up for minority education is a fresh concept. Assuring the minorities that their concerns and desires will be addressed, the HRD Minister recommended a timeframe of four months to fulfil the commitments. This, he said, would have to be approved by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and his Cabinet colleagues. "We need to evolve an action plan for translating promises into realities.''

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