Rajasthan govt forms separate department for minority affairs

The Rajasthan government has now formed a separate department to address minority affairs in the state.

A senior government official told media that the chief minister has brought all the different welfare schemes and departments associated with the minority community under one department

"As a result, administrative control of a host of organisations such as the State Haj Committee, the Waqf Board, Madrassas Board, Minority Commission, Minority Finance and Development Cooperative Corp Ltd is now under one roof," the official told IANS.

Reportedly, more emphasis will be laid on providing employment opportunities for youth from the minority community through better educational facilities, financial help and by improving training services.

The Chief Minister's Office has also started a madrassa modernisation plan for imparting quality education.

"Under the modern education plan, approval have been given for a grant of Rs.10.11 crore to 241 madrassas," a senior official in the board told IANS.

Muslims constitute nearly eight percent of the state's population.

Other steps taken by the government include the construction of girls' hostels at each divisional headquarters, and the opening of ten Industrial Training Institutes in areas with large minority population.

Also, the Rajasthan Knowledge Corp has been asked to expand its youth employment programme on training the minority community in computers.