BY YS.RANA :
CHANDIGARH,DECEMBER 17,2019: Manjit Singh Rai, Member of National Commission for Minorities (NCM), New Delhi visited Chandigarh from December 14-16, 2019 to review the progress of various schemes/programmes covered under Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minority Communities. He held a meeting with the Commissioner Municipal Corporation, ADC, Director Social Welfare, Superintendent of Police, Director Higher/School Education representatives of the Minority Communities and other senior officers of Chandigarh Administration to review 15-point programme in Chandigarh.
During his visit, he reviewed the progress of 15-Point Programme and emphasized upon shifting of Anganwadi Centres running in rented buildings to the Government Elementary School Buildings/Government-owned buildings, regular health check-up of all children enrolled under Anganwadi Centres for overall growth, proper disbursement of Scholarship Schemes, formation of Self Help Groups for upliftment of Women of Minority Community in convergence with youth, reservation in Government Housing Schemes, Loan for Self Employment and Skill Training.
Director of Social Welfare, Women & Child Development on behalf of the Chandigarh Administration welcomed the Hon’ble Member and briefed the progress schemes/programmes relating to the Minority Communities. Director of Social Welfare apprised that the minority population in Chandigarh approximately 19 per cent of the total population.
The Deputy Director, ICDS informed that 450 Anganwadi Centres were running in the UT, Chandigarh, of these 171 Anganwadi Centres were running in Govt. buildings and 279 in rented accommodations. Mr Rai desired that all the AWCs should have the provision of basic requirements. Director School Education informed that in Chandigarh, there is total of 114 Govt. Schools and 27 AWCs have already been shifted in the existing Govt. school buildings and 10 more AWCs would be shifted shortly.
He further assured that the provision for remaining AWCs is being made in new school buildings. Deputy Director, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan apprised Rai that, mapping of all the Anganwadi Centres with Elementary Schools was in progress. Commissioner, MC also apprised that MC was also providing one room in community centres for running of AWCs.
Director Health Services informed that funds to pregnant/lactating mothers under the scheme Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana have been disbursed upto October, 2019 and data pertaining to minorities would be shared with the Commission. He further informed that physical verification of Anganwadi children is done regularly by a team of doctors in convergence with the Department of Social Welfare and Education. Under the Integrated Child Development Services, out of total 55204 enrolled children, pregnant/nursing mothers and adolescent girls, 8011 belongs to minority communities who are benefitted under six services i.e. supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-up, referral services, pre-school non-formal education and Nutrition & Health Education (NHED).
Under scholarship Schemes for the students belonging to minority communities and informed that during the year 2018-19, 1464 students have been disbursed scholarship under Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means Schemes amounting to Rs.21.07 Lakhs and during the current year, 1799 applications have been sent to the Ministry for disbursement of scholarships. Bikram Rana,State Liaison Officer requested the Member to take up the matter with government. of India regarding enhancement of income criteria under scholarship schemes for Minorities, so that more minority students could avail the benefits under the schemes. Further, Hon’ble Member directed that in Madrassas basic education shall be provided in addition to religious education.
It was also apprised that, Chandigarh Scheduled Caste, Backward Classes & Minorities Finance & Development Corporation has disbursed loan amounting to Rs.10.00 Lakh to 40 minority beneficiaries under Self Employment Scheme and 174 minority beneficiaries have been imparted skill development training in different trades during the current financial year.
Rai acknowledged the efforts made by different departments of UT, Chandigarh for the Welfare of Minorities and desired that the departments should ensure effective implementation of the schemes by using social media platforms and advocacy by sharing motivational stories.