New Delhi: Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil has urged the Government of India to include Himachal Pradesh under Multi Sectoral Development Programme for the welfare of minorities in the State.
He raised this demand with Union Minister for Minority Affairs Dr. Najma Heptulla at New Delhi today. He apprised the Minister that Himachal Pradesh had not been included under this Programme being implemented by the Central Government and as a result of this the minorities in the State were not able to take benefits of this Programme. He said that the State had around 4.5 percent population of minority communities.
Dr. Shandil also demanded for opening of at-least two residential schools in the State for the children of minority communities so as to facilitate them in getting higher education adding that State had already identified the lands at Holi in Chamba district and Satrol in Solan district. He also requested for strengthening of HP Minorities Community Financial and Development Corporation so that loans on minimum rate of interests could be provided to more and more youth belonging to minorities for self employment avocations.
He also urged for enhancing the financial assistance to the children of minority communities under Vocational Training.
The Union Minister assured to include Himachal Pradesh under Multi Sectoral Development Programme and to consider other demands sympathetically.
