<p>Minority communities in the State have been affected by illiteracy and lack of awareness on the various developmental programmes aimed at them, said Director, Directorate of Minority Welfare, Akram Pasha, here on Wednesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He was speaking at a programme organised by minority welfare department at Kalamandira in the city. Due to illiteracy, the communities have not been able to benefit from the programmes devised for them, he said.<br /><br />Both the State and Central governments had introduced several programmes for the social, educational and economic empowerment of these communities. People should reap benefits from the same, he said.<br /><br />Education<br />The State government, Pasha said, was stressing on the education of people from minority communities. Till now Rs 300 crore is spent on providing scholarships for a total of 12 lakh students. Online system is in place for students to avail scholarship facilities, a first of its kind facility in the country, he said.<br /><br />Pasha denied that there was dearth of funds for welfare schemes of minorities. Funds were being utilised based on the local demands, such as hostels, training programme for the aspirants of competitive exams and others. <br /><br />Decentralisation of power has reduced the processing period for applications of various schemes. <br /><br />Information centers<br />Information centers of programmes launched by the directorate have also been opened at all the district centers, to encourage people to avail the benefits, he added.<br /><br /></p>
<p>Minority communities in the State have been affected by illiteracy and lack of awareness on the various developmental programmes aimed at them, said Director, Directorate of Minority Welfare, Akram Pasha, here on Wednesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He was speaking at a programme organised by minority welfare department at Kalamandira in the city. Due to illiteracy, the communities have not been able to benefit from the programmes devised for them, he said.<br /><br />Both the State and Central governments had introduced several programmes for the social, educational and economic empowerment of these communities. People should reap benefits from the same, he said.<br /><br />Education<br />The State government, Pasha said, was stressing on the education of people from minority communities. Till now Rs 300 crore is spent on providing scholarships for a total of 12 lakh students. Online system is in place for students to avail scholarship facilities, a first of its kind facility in the country, he said.<br /><br />Pasha denied that there was dearth of funds for welfare schemes of minorities. Funds were being utilised based on the local demands, such as hostels, training programme for the aspirants of competitive exams and others. <br /><br />Decentralisation of power has reduced the processing period for applications of various schemes. <br /><br />Information centers<br />Information centers of programmes launched by the directorate have also been opened at all the district centers, to encourage people to avail the benefits, he added.<br /><br /></p>
