New Delhi, Feb. 28 (The Telegraph): Finance minister Arun Jaitley today announced a Rs 4-crore increase in allocation for the minority affairs ministry and no new worthwhile schemes, leaving community leaders and officials disappointed with what at least one described as "old wine in a new bottle".
A veteran minority leader, however, said there was no question of disappointment as minorities had "no expectations" from the government after recurring attacks and hate speeches.
In his budget speech, Jaitley announced an allocation of Rs 3,738.11 crore for 2015-16 for the minority ministry, a marginal increase from the Rs 3,734.01 crore last year.
He said an "integrated education and livelihood" scheme - "Nai Manzil" - would be launched this year to "enable minority youths who do not have a formal school-leaving certificate to obtain one and find better employment".
Further, to showcase the civilisation and culture of Parsis, the government, he said, would "support", in 2015-16, an exhibition called The Everlasting Flame.
Abdul Hameed Noumani, spokesperson for the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind, said the allocation for the six minority communities was a "big disappointment".
"This government has nothing new to offer and has been continuing with the schemes of UPA II. It seems the government lacks vision and genuine commitment."
A senior minority ministry official agreed, saying the "Nai Manzil" (new destination) scheme - announced by minister Najma Heptulla in August and launched officially today - was not new.
"The government has now officially launched it by allocating funds for the scheme. But a similar skill-development scheme figured in the Prime Minister's 15-point welfare scheme for minorities announced by UPA I in 2008."
The one-year bridge course is aimed preparing students of madarsas, where only theology-based education is imparted, appear for board exams recognised by universities.
While Jaitley announced the government's support for an exhibition to highlight Parsi culture, the official pointed out that it was the Congress-led UPA that had started the Jiyo Parsi scheme to contain the decline in the community's population. The scheme is being carried forward by the BJP-led government.
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