There are many schemes for minorities, but implementing them is a different matter.
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There are six communities under the supervision of the Ministry of Minority Affairs – Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis. Working for their socio-economic upliftment, it is the nodal ministry for the implementation of the Prime Minister’s 15-point program for minority welfare. The program aims to achieve four broad objectives: increasing opportunities for education, ensuring an equitable share in economic activities/employment, improving living conditions and preventing communal disharmony and violence.
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In addition, the ministry implements the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, which aims to enhance social infrastructure in identified minority concentration areas. There has been a 60 per cent increase in the budget of the ministry, which has increased from Rs 3,130 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 5,020 crore in 2022-23. Critics say that the allocation of 0.15 per cent of the total budget for a ministry that looks after 19 per cent of India’s population is too low. The government argues that minorities also get benefits under other welfare schemes.
