Minorities in 21 districts to enjoy host of welfare schemes

The Minority Concentrated Districts (MCDs) of the state will now witness a host of schemes, which will focus on the overall development of the area in different sectors.

The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has started releasing funds for the 21 districts under the Multi-Sectoral Development Programme.

In the first phase, the ministry has approved funds for Lucknow, Moradabad and Bulandshahr districts for the implementation of schemes like Indira Awas Yojna, Anganwadi centres and health sub-centres.

The district administration of Lucknow had sent proposals in sectors like health, education, child development, housing and skill upgradation for 27 villages; which have been chosen as minority concentration villages, of which they have got cent per cent approval for three major schemes and a fund release of around Rs 19 crore.

The Chief Development Officer of Lucknow, Kaushal Raj Sharma, said the administration has already chosen the villages with minority concentration and the projects will begin as soon as the by-elections are over.

"We will be constructing 3,000 houses under the Indira Awas Yojna for which the entire fund will be given by Centre as it is a Centrally-funded scheme," said Sharma.

"We will construct 122 Anganwadi centres for which the state and the Centre will have equal fund share. Also, 94 health sub-centres will be constructed, which will be scattered all over the district and will see the same fund distribution," added Sharma.

"We are ready with the layout and as soon as the bypolls are over, we will start work since we have to complete it by March, 2010," he said.

"We are awaiting the approval for the proposals under the education and skill upgradation sector," he added.

Besides Lucknow, approvals have also been made for Moradabad and Bulandshahr districts.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Director (Minorities Welfare) Mohammad Shahabuddin said: "We are sending district-wise proposals to the Centre and are receiving approvals according to the number of villages and areas identified."

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