BELLARY: In order to ensure that the benefits of government welfare schemes reached all sections in the minority category, the Karnataka

State Minorities Commission has favoured apportioning schemes among various minority communities, according to its Chairman Alhaj Mohammed Masood.

Responding to questions by presspersons here on Saturday that there was a general impression that Muslims and Christians got the lion's share and other sections were deprived of benefits, Mr. Masood said that a proposal has already been prepared by the commission earmarking 60 per cent of the schemes for Muslims and 20 per cent each for Christians and other minority sections. The proposal would shortly be forwarded to the Government for its approval and implementation.

Break-up

In the State, the Muslim population was around 64.6 lakh constituting 12.23 per cent of the total population, Christians 10.09 lakh (1.91 per cent), Sikhs 0.15 lakh (0.03 per cent), Buddhists 3.93 lakh (0.74 per cent), Jains 4.12 lakh (0.78).

The State Government had come out with several welfare schemes in about 30 departments, he said.

He would tour all districts to create awareness on the schemes among the people and also sensitise officials on their implementation. So far he had toured 12 districts, including Bellary, participated in the awareness camp and reviewed performances in the respective districts.

He claimed that the response was very positive from people and officials.

Interim report

He said that an interim report was being prepared, based on the tour of the districts and review, to be presented to the Government with suggestions whereever necessary.

Shortage of teachers

Mr. Masood said that there was shortage of 425 Urdu teachers in the State and he had urged the Minister for Education to recruit teachers. He also informed that around 30 per cent of funds allocated under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan had been set aside for minority institutions.

Mr. Masood said that he would submit a memorandum to the Chairman of the National Minority Commission for Education during his visit to the State shortly, to consider allocation of excess seats in the professional colleges run by linguistic minorities to students belonging to other minority communities instead of allowing the seats to lapse.

Pilgrim centres

When his attention was drawn to the lack of facilities at Pothali and Kuppewadi in Chikkodi taluk, Belgaum district, which are major pilgrim centres for Jains, he said he had visited these places and had already recommended to the State Government to take immediate steps to improve the conditions there.

Mr. Masood, who was on a three-day visit to Bellary, participated in the camp to create awareness among minorities about the schemes and held a meeting with officials to review implementation of the schemes.

Arvind Srivastav, Deputy Commissioner and C.M. Shirol, Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, were present.

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