Budget Proposal for Minorities 

47. The allocation to the Ministry of Minority Affairs will be increased from Rs.500 crore in

2007-08 to Rs.1,000 crore in 2008-09. Government has taken up the report of the Justice

Rajindar Sachar Committee for speedy implementation. Apart from the schemes

commenced in 2007-08, it is proposed to implement the following schemes/measures in

2008-09:

• a multi-sectoral development plan for each of the 90 minority concentration districts will

  be drawn up at a cost of Rs.3,780 crore. The allocation in 2008-09 will be Rs.540 crore;

• a pre-matric scholarship scheme with an allocation of Rs.80 crore next year;

• a scheme for modernising Madrassa education for which a provision of Rs.45.45 crore has

  been made in 2008-09;

• 256 branches of public sector banks have been opened this year until December 2007 in

  districts with substantial minority population. 288 more will be opened by March 2008 and

  many more in 2008-09; and

• continuing the exercise started this year, more candidates belonging to the minority

  communities will be recruited to the Central Para-Military Forces.

  48. I also propose to provide Rs.60 crore to enhance the corpus fund of the Maulana Azad

  Education Foundation.