Minorities have to be included in growth process: Montek
Rejecting BJP's charge that government was resorting to "communal budgeting", Plan Plan Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said minorities have to be included in economic growth and to dub it as communalisation is a mistake.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Rejecting BJP's charge that government was resorting to "communal budgeting", Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said minorities have to be included in economic growth and to dub it as communalisation is a mistake.
"I reject the charge which is not true. Let's be very clear about it because of social stratification in the country, different groups, not just minorities, feel excluded and that is what inclusive growth is (all) about," he said.
Ahluwalia said at times, minorities may get left out of the growth process because of their own problems like reluctance to send girls to schools. "We have to look at it sympathetically," he added.
He said when it came to education, the government was not suggesting there should be separate schools for minorities. But it made a lot of sense to ensure that minority enrolment is enhanced.
"Now to argue that any focus on these things is communalisation, I think, we are making big mistakes," he stressed.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and other Chief Ministers hailing from the BJP had during the National Development Council (NDC) meeting in December accused the government of "communal budgeting" for its decision to earmark separate funds for development of minorities.
"I reject the charge which is not true. Let's be very clear about it because of social stratification in the country, different groups, not just minorities, feel excluded and that is what inclusive growth is (all) about," he said.
Ahluwalia said at times, minorities may get left out of the growth process because of their own problems like reluctance to send girls to schools. "We have to look at it sympathetically," he added.
He said when it came to education, the government was not suggesting there should be separate schools for minorities. But it made a lot of sense to ensure that minority enrolment is enhanced.
"Now to argue that any focus on these things is communalisation, I think, we are making big mistakes," he stressed.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and other Chief Ministers hailing from the BJP had during the National Development Council (NDC) meeting in December accused the government of "communal budgeting" for its decision to earmark separate funds for development of minorities.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
