Sops for Bihar Muslim students yield results

The scheme stipulated that each Muslim student securing first division in the matriculation exams would get a reward of Rs 10,000. Within two years, the scheme has yielded such splendid result that it could be an eye-opener for other states, too. There is a 300 per cent increase among the Muslim students passing out their Class X examination with first division.

If a total of 2,627 Muslim students secured first division in 2007, the number swelled to 5,800 in 2008, and eventually to 11,500 in 2009. “The sense of competition has yielded the desired result,” averred Minority Welfare Minister Shahid Ali Khan. He hastened to add that the scheme was motivating other Muslim children to join schools.

The government intends to hand over the reward money to the students of 2008 batch soon. “We have also invited applications from the Muslim students who secured first division in 2009,” said Khan.

Besides, the government also intends to empower Muslim community through “Mukhyamantri Shramshakti Yojna,” under which people belonging to minority community will be provided technical training so as to become self-employed and self-dependent.
Apart from this, Muslim women abandoned by their husbands or close relatives will also now get Rs 10,000. 

Though Nitish’s rivals argue that the move is aimed to woo the Muslims, Khan disagrees. “We are working towards the uplift of Muslim society. Our each step should not be construed as the one which will fetch us only rich electoral dividends,” he clarified.