<p>The National Democratic Alliance government plans to reach out to Muslims to ascertain if targeted schemes are benefiting them, in a move to overcome trust deficit among minority communities.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Minister of State for Minority Affairs M A Naqvi will visit Kerala from January 3 for on-the-spot assessment of welfare schemes. The ministry has overall identified 100 districts spread across the country to review these schemes.<br /><br />It has already consulted states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telanagana. “I will reach out to people at the grass-root level to discuss their problems and find solutions,” said Naqvi.<br /><br />The “Mission Empowerment” assumes importance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to be unhappy with Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah’s pace of work. A buzz in the government is that she might be dropped from the Cabinet and made a governor, and she turning 75 in April will be cited as an excuse to make her exit honourable. <br /><br />Modi had made it clear that leaders aged 75 years and above would not be inducted in his team. Many senior leaders were left out as a result.<br /><br />The move comes in the midst of Hindu fringe organisations asserting themselves with “ghar waapsi” or “re-conversion” ceremonies, and protesting over the film “PK”.<br />Naqvi claimed that no political motive should be ascribed on his visit, as it is aimed at finding out if government schemes are delivering results on the ground. <br /><br />“We believe in 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', and will ensure that minorities' schemes reach the beneficiaries,” added Naqvi.<br /><br />He also said many schemes announced by the previous United Progressive Assliance government could not be implemented fully. Naqvi, who accepted it was a “challenge” to achieve this empowerment, will tour states and use the feedback to streamline programmes pertaining to minorities ahead of next year’s budget.</p>
<p>The National Democratic Alliance government plans to reach out to Muslims to ascertain if targeted schemes are benefiting them, in a move to overcome trust deficit among minority communities.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Minister of State for Minority Affairs M A Naqvi will visit Kerala from January 3 for on-the-spot assessment of welfare schemes. The ministry has overall identified 100 districts spread across the country to review these schemes.<br /><br />It has already consulted states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telanagana. “I will reach out to people at the grass-root level to discuss their problems and find solutions,” said Naqvi.<br /><br />The “Mission Empowerment” assumes importance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to be unhappy with Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah’s pace of work. A buzz in the government is that she might be dropped from the Cabinet and made a governor, and she turning 75 in April will be cited as an excuse to make her exit honourable. <br /><br />Modi had made it clear that leaders aged 75 years and above would not be inducted in his team. Many senior leaders were left out as a result.<br /><br />The move comes in the midst of Hindu fringe organisations asserting themselves with “ghar waapsi” or “re-conversion” ceremonies, and protesting over the film “PK”.<br />Naqvi claimed that no political motive should be ascribed on his visit, as it is aimed at finding out if government schemes are delivering results on the ground. <br /><br />“We believe in 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', and will ensure that minorities' schemes reach the beneficiaries,” added Naqvi.<br /><br />He also said many schemes announced by the previous United Progressive Assliance government could not be implemented fully. Naqvi, who accepted it was a “challenge” to achieve this empowerment, will tour states and use the feedback to streamline programmes pertaining to minorities ahead of next year’s budget.</p>
