IMPHAL, Jul 25 (DIPR) : The Department of Welfare of Minorities and Other Backward Classes, Manipur since 2001-2002 awarded scholarship to OBC students who are studying both inside and outside the State. A total of 1,05,449 OBC Post-Matric students of the State have been given scholarships amounting to a sum of Rs 1035.49 lakh by 2014-15, said Kh Dineshchandra, Director MOBC during a press conference organized by DIPR held here today at DIPR premises.
Since its establishment on July 30, 1998 for the welfare of minorities and OBCs of the State the Department has been taking up measures to protect the interests of the Minority and the Other Backward Class communities socially, economically, educationally and also to take up welfare programmes/schemes for them. There are a total of 17178 beneficiaries under various categories for 2016-17 including 3510 Muslims, 13599 Christians, 31 Sikhs, 36 Buddhists, 27 Jains and 15 Parsis. As per 2011 census the population of Christian is 41.29 pc, Muslim, 8.4 pc, Buddhist 0.25 pc, and Jain 0.06 pc.
Under Centrally sponsored schemes (CSS)/Central Plan Schemes (CPS) the department constructed OBC Boys’ Hostel at DMC of Commerce (50 bedded at a cost of Rs 38.34 lakh), OBC Girls’ Hostel at Ideal College, Akampat (50 bedded at a cost of Rs 38.34 lakh), OBC Muslim Girls’ Hostel at Hafiz Hatta (100 bedded at the cost of Rs 187 lakh) , OBC Boys’ and Girls’ Hostels at Kiyamgei (100 bedded at the cost of Rs 75 lakh for GH and Rs 249.26 lakh for BH).
The department is constructing OBC Boys’ & Girls’ Hostels at LHC, Lilong (100 bedded at the cost of Rs 201 lakh each) OBC Boys’ & Girls’ Hostels at Sangaiyumpham (100 bedded at the cost of Rs 140 lakh each), OBC Girls’ Hostel at Lamding Model H/S at a cost of Rs 350 lakh (100 bedded). A total number of 2,04,306 OBC Pre-Matric students of the State have been given scholarships amounting to a sum of Rs 589.811 lakh by 2014-15.
Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India sanctioned various schemes for the upliftment of the minorities educationally, socially and economically. Schemes like post and pre-matric scholarship, merit cum means based scholarship, multi-sectoral development programme, etc are being taken up by the Department. So far, a total number of 26,337 minority pre-matric students of the State have been given scholarships involving a sum of Rs 1053.3502 lakh. Minority pre-matric scholarship has come under the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) since 2015-16. All the scholarships are linked through Aadhar and all scholarships are transferred directly to their accounts.
In some cases where the students gave details of rural bank, accounts payment was not done. It will be resolved the Director said. The department is not in a position to deal with the data provided by the students as there are few staff and the department has no knowledge of authorized signature of various institutes. So far, a total number of 27,657 minority post-matric students of the State have been given scholarships involving a sum of Rs 1910.435 lakh.
The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to the poor and meritorious minority students to enable them to pursue professional and technical courses. This is a continuing programme started since 2007-2008 to award scholarship to minority students who are studying both inside and outside the State. A total number of 2,383 Minority Merit cum Means (MCM) students of the State have been given scholarships involving a sum of Rs. 580.69 lakh by 2014-15.
Ministry of Minority Affairs has released Rs 139.12 crore as 100 pc CS to implement various programmes/schemes like IAY, DWS, labour rooms, school buildings, ITI, Anganwadi centres, etc during the 11th Plan and all CS fund have been released to the concerned DRDAs and IAs. Tentative allocation of CS Fund of MsDP during 12th Plan is Rs 124.76 crore and so far a sum of Rs 49.51 crore has been released till date. Under State Plan, Economic Development Programme (EDP) is taken up since 1999-2000 and 30,847 minority; 23,003 OBC and 284 SC beneficiaries have been benefitted under different schemes of EDP viz, fishery; vegetable farming; irrigation pump set; poultry; tailoring, embroidery; carpentry; etc with a total expenditure of Rs 4661.55293 lakh by 2014-15.
Under Skill Development Programme (SDP) skill trainings are given for bamboo craft, mobile repairing; paramedical; embroidery; tailoring; hospitality; carpentry; DTP; etc. Individuals whose annual family income is below Rs 22,000 can apply for Skill Development Programme (SDP) schemes. So far 4,000 beneficiaries have been trained under different schemes of SDP with a total expenditure of Rs 740.80 lakh by 2014-15.
Roofing material as CGI sheets is provided to the poor and needy minority, and OBC communities. Individuals whose annual family income is below Rs 22,000 can apply for housing scheme. So far 13,626 beneficiaries have been benefitted under housing scheme with a total expenditure of Rs 2950.86 lakh by 2014-15.
Financial assistance was given to the needy and poor minority and OBC patients who have undergone treatment in Government hospitals, health centres. Plastic water storage tanks are being provided as sanitary item under this scheme since 2014-15. Individuals whose annual family income is below Rs. 22,000 can apply for health scheme. Health scheme started since 2007-2008 and so far 3115 beneficiaries have been benefitted under health scheme with a total expenditure of Rs 213.16 lakh by 2012-13.
Remedial coaching for Science, Maths and English is provided to poor and needy minority students starting from 2009-2010. So far, 17,500 students have been given with Remedial Coaching by 2015-16. Total fund utilized is Rs 317.03 lakh.
Registration of madrassas, modernization of madrassas, scholarships etc are carried out by the Wakf Board. Haj Pilgrimage and related matters are being looked after by the State Haj Committee, Manipur. Dr K Lokhol, Dy Dir, M Damu, Dy Dir and O Shamungou, AO attended the press conference.
