Don't disrupt Parliament for political mileage: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

NEW DELHI: Emphasising that developmental issues should get prominence in Parliament, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today urged the Congress not to disrupt the upcoming Monsoon session for "political mileage".

"We would like the House not to be interrupted for political mileage. We are ready to discuss every issue and communicate with everyone," he said.

"We are ready for any political battle but matters related to poverty, development and public concern should not suffer," he said.

The kind of statements the Congress leaders are issuing makes their intention clear, Naqvi said.

The Monsoon session of the Parliament is slated to begin on July 21.

Over the welfare of minorities, Naqvi, who is also the Minister of State for Minority Affairs, said confidence of Muslims in the Modi government has increased because of its "India First" agenda.

The minorities are unable to get the benefits of welfare schemes due to cumbersome procedures and "we are now making these processes easier," he said.

The ministry intends to make minority workers part of the bigger market network for which skill development, education, availability of loans will play major rolls, he said.

Over the various welfare schemes for the minorities, Naqvi said the Union government has launched - Upgrading Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTAD) scheme - and are strengthening already running schemes.

The Centre is emphasising on the dissemination of education among children belonging to minority communities especially Muslims, he said.

Notably, according to Sachar committee report, one-fourth children of Muslim community, in the age group of 6-14 years, drop out of schools.

'Hamari Dharohar' scheme which aims to preserve the rich heritage of minority communities will be also launched, the Union Minister said.