TS Govt to launch new schemes for minorities

Hyderabad, May 21 (INN): The Telangana Government will launch Marriage and Career Counselling Centres for minorities at Haj House in Nampally from June 1.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali said that the Marriage Counselling Centre would function under a seven-member committee to be headed by retired Justice E Ismail. The other members of the committee are Advocate Shafiqur Rahman Mahajir, ex-corporator Mohsina Parveen, noted cleric Mufti Sadeq Mohiuddin, Mohammed Rafiuddin of Sharayi Council, Sabhiya Siddique of Bint-e-Haram and Nazir Qazaat of Wakf Board Md Ikramullah. The Centre has been set up to resolve disputes among families and couples which is leading to a rise in cases of divorces.

The Deputy CM also informed that a Career Counselling Centre will be started at Haj House from June 1 to train and guide the unemployed youth in getting jobs in private sector. The Centre is being set up in association with the SETWIN and NAC.

Mahmood Ali also announced that 1,000 auto-rickshaws would be provided to youth belonging to minority communities under owner-cum-driver scheme. While the State Government would provide 50% subsidy for purchase of autos, remaining 50% will be the loan component which should be repaid at the rate of Rs 200 per day. While the previous Congress Government purchased each auto-rickshaw for Rs 1.60 lakh, TRS Government negotiated with the manufacturers to buy the same for Rs 1.40 lakh, he said.

The Deputy CM said that the State Government intends to start tailoring centres for Muslim women and would also support the NGOs who already running such initiatives. He said a new micro-finance scheme would also be introduced to free the small vendors from the clutches of illegal financiers, especially in the Old City of Hyderabad.

Mahmood Ali informed that of 13,203 applications received under Shaadi Mubarak scheme, as many as 9,701 have been approved and the amount has been transferred to the accounts to beneficiaries. He said 472 applications were still pending while verification was on for 3,640 applicants.

He also assured that one more members would be appointed to the Inquiry Committee, which was constituted to study the Socio-Economic Status of Muslims in Telangana. Based on committee's findings, a Backward Classes Commission will be constituted to provide 12% reservation for Muslims in the State. He said that the committee has been allotted office at Shakkar Bhavan and it would start functioning within 10 days.

Special Secretary of Minorities Welfare Department Omer Jaleel, Minorities Welfare Director MJ Akbar and State Haj Committee Special Officer Prof SA Shukoor were present in the press conference.