SOPS GALORE: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy along with (from left) Union Minister of State for HRD Mohammed Ashraf Ali Fatmi, MIM president Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi and Convener of Andhra Pradesh United Muslim Action Committee Husami Aquil, a t the national seminar on Sachar Committee Report in Hyderabad on Saturday.. PHOTO: P. V. SIVAKUMAR

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has announced 100 per cent coverage of Muslim students in pre and post-matric scholarships in the State from the next financial year.

Inaugurating a two-day national seminar on `challenges and opportunities for Indian Muslims' organised in the light of Sachar Committee report here on Saturday, Dr. Reddy said that the Government would construct 36 hostels, besides the existing 12, in the State for Muslim boys and girls.

Computer education

He said that the pre and post-matric scholarships were a niggardly Rs. 4 crores when he took over the reins of the State and the same had been enhanced to Rs. 33 crores last year. The Government introduced computer education in madarasas and would launch science, English and other subjects in those institutions.

Recalling that the five per cent reservation for Muslims, which his Government proposed, was caught in legal wrangles "as a BJP leader has approached the court", Dr. Reddy exuded confidence that the hurdles could be overcome. While 200 Muslim students secured seats in medical education, 3,000 others got admission in professional courses like MBA and engineering.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the Government was committed to developing the old city with an outlay of Rs. 2,000 crores in the next three years.

He assured the Muslims of ensuring an inclusive participation and opportunities in every sphere of Government activity.

Action plan

Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development Mohammed Ashraf Ali Fatmi said that he would submit the report on the action plan to implement the Sachar Committee report to the Union HRD Minister on January 21.

President of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi said that only two chief ministers -- Jalagam Vengala Rao and Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy -- fulfilled the promises they made to the Muslim community.

Abusaleh Shariff, member of the Sachar Committee, made a presentation on the conditions of Muslims in the country and recommendations to improve their lot.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail