The Centre on Thursday lashed out at Narendra Modi-led Gujarat government for ignoring rights of minority and the Central schemes meant for the community. During an interaction at the Planning Commission for the finalisation of the state plan for the year 2010-11, it was found that Gujarat had proposed just a “token provision of Rs 1 lakh” this year against Rs 325 lakhs last year as share capital to Gujarat Minority Finance and Development Corporation.
According to the draft note prepared for the discussion, a copy of which is with this newspaper, the proposed outlay as share capital would make it “difficult for the corporation to run its programmes for the benefit of the minorities in the state”.
Since the state government appeared reluctant to share details of achievements after implementing the Centrally-sponsored schemes for minorities, including Prime Minister’s 15-point programme, the Plan panel has asked the state to furnish them at the earliest.
“The ministry of minority affairs implements three scholarships for minority students and the state has accessed Central assistance. The state may furnish the details of number of minority students covered during 2009-10 under the schemes,” the draft note said.
On the issue of share capital to Gujarat Minority Finance and Development Corporation, a senior state official, however, had argued that the paid-up capital to the corporation has reached the level of the authorised share capital. “An assessment will be made in due course to ascertain requirement of further enhancement. Therefore a token provision has been made to enhance outlay at the Revised Estimate (RE) stage,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a letter to Mr Modi, deputy chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, while stressing on the need to universalize Gujarat’s education enrolment, pointed out “differences across communities need to be overcome”.