– Mohammed Atherulla Shariff
Bengaluru, Feb. 20: Social Justice is not just our belief, but a broader perspective towards life. The Sharana philosophy of setting aside a part of one’s earnings for Dasoha underpins our hope of achieving an equitable distribution of wealth in society. This is the mission of the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
While presenting the state budget for 2024-25, he said the Government too takes pride in having implemented a program of Direct Benefits Transfer of enormous proportions in a very short time, which has not been implemented by any other government in the country. Our ambitious Guarantees rest on the soaring aspirations of the people.
Assuring the continuation of schemes Siddaramiah said our guarantee schemes are not just an election gimmick. They are the result of the feedback obtained during Bharat Jodo Yatra. These schemes are earnest efforts to create jobs and enhance purchasing power of the people. These programs are aimed at creating a just and fair society by redistribution of wealth.
Minorities Development
Spelling out the programs his government has designed for the minorities, the Chief Minister said improvement in the educational parameters is important for the holistic development of the minority communities. The Government is taking various measures for the educational empowerment of minorities:
Education
- 50 Morarji Desai Residential Schools will be started with a capacity of 50 students each.
- 100 Post-matric boys/girls hostels will be started with a capacity of 100 students each.
- 100 new Maulana Azad Schools will be opened.
- Pre-university colleges will be started in 25 schools which will have their own buildings.
- Fee reimbursement scheme for students of the minority community who are pursuing B.Sc., Nursing/ G.N.M Nursing courses in Government/ Private Colleges will be restarted.
Economic Assistance
- Interest subsidy of 6% will be provided on loans up to Rs.10 crore availed from Karnataka State Finance Corporation for setting up new micro and small industries and up-gradation of the existing units.
- Loans will be given through Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation along with training through Sericulture department to financially support silk reelers belonging to minority communities.
Women Development
- Women self-help groups of minority communities will be encouraged to engage in various types of self-employment activities. Rs.10 crore will be allocated for this program.
- An allocation of Rs.100 crore will be made for development of Wakf (Waqf) properties. There will be a special focus on protection and conservation of protected monuments which are maintained by the Archeological Survey of India.
- Workshops on current affairs will be conducted for Moulavis and Muttawallis registered with the State Wakf Board. The honorarium for Imams and Muvazzins allocated is 83.68 crores.
- 20 crore will be provided to ensure basic facilities at major pilgrimage destinations in the State.
- Construction work of Mangaluru Haj Bhavan will be undertaken at a cost of Rs.10 crore.
- Programs at the cost of Rs.393 crore will be formulated and implemented during 2024-25 through Minorities Development Corporations.
- For the State Minorities Commission, Rs.2.38 crores has been provided.
Of the 3.71 lakh crore budget presented by the Chief Minister Rs.3352 crores is meant for various schemes and programmes for the minorities.
