Minorities should feel environment of trust, development: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said there was a need to ensure that minority communities also feel the "environment of trust and development" created by the Modi government and asked officials to reach the benefits of development.

"There is a need to ensure minority communities also feel environment of trust and development created by the Narendra Modi government in all sectors.

"Along with framing development policies on paper and computer, the officials should also reach out to ground-level to fulfil government's commitment towards empowerment of the poor," the Minority Affairs Minister was quoted as saying in a statement during a meeting of senior officials of his ministry.

Naqvi said he will take stock of how the schemes aimed at socio-economic-educational empowerment of minorities are being executed on ground after conclusion of forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament.

"The Prime Minister has provided a blueprint for this and we have to construct a strong structure so that environment of prosperity and safety among the poor can be ensured and the poor can be made a part of the mainstream development process," he added.

Naqvi also asked officials to implement Centre's schemes in coordination with states.

He asserted that there is no shortage of funds for welfare of minorities, but insisted the money should be spent "with honesty" so that last person in the society gets the benefits of development.

"We will keep a close eye on implementation of all welfare schemes to ensure their proper implementation at grassroots level. Officials have a crucial role to play in this regard," he said.

Naqvi said providing better education and employment opportunities to minorities, particularly youths, figures high on his agenda.

"We will have to treat the issue of uplift of minorities as a duty and not a formality," he added.

Without naming any party, Naqvi said minorities were left behind as "only formalities were completed in the name of their development" over several decades and stressed on the need for empowering them with "complete honesty".