Government has launched several minority welfare schemes:Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI: Rejecting claims that the Sachar panel recommendations were ignored, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government had launched several minority welfare schemes based on the suggestions and the same were showing good results.

"I have often heard people say that the government has not implemented the recommendations of the Sachar Committee, I wish to state here today that this is not true," he said addressing a conference of Dalits and minorities.

Singh said the government had launched several schemes acting on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee and the same initiatives were bringing about a change in the situation of minorities.

There has been an increase in the recruitment of minorities in government jobs, security forces and banking services, he said, adding the loans for such communities in priority sector has also risen from nine per cent to 15 per cent in the past four years.

The Prime Minister listed out a number of schemes launched by his government for the welfare of minorities and weaker sections.

Lauding entrepreneurs from the SC/ST communities, Singh said the government has decided to give primacy to them in procurements made by the State.

He also asked those present to highlight the achievements and successes of the weaker sections in various fields which would inspire the new generation to contribute to development of the nation.