Education, skill development important for Muslims to grow economically: Mufti Sayeed

Vision is to make Jammu and Kashmir the knowledge hub

Education and skill development has a prominent role in economic growth of the Muslim community and the Sachar Committee recommendations should be looked at in this context, said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

He was delivering the inaugural speech in the United Ecobomic Forum (UEF) Summit 2015 in Chennai.

"I believe that the Sachar Committee findings and recommendations must guide us as we navigate through the turbulant times today," he said, pointing that the committee, which was formed by one of the earlier governments in the centre to study the socio-economic and educational status of Muslims, found that in many area, the status of Muslims is lower than the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes in the country.

The percentage of Muslims in All India Services is not more than 2% while the presence of the community in the population is higher thab that as a percentage. The backwardness in education is the main reason why the community is not able to progress economically.

The Sachar Committee has recommended hifh quality schools in areas where Muslims live, exclusive schools for girls from Standard 9 to 12, among others.

He added that skill development is another important aspect for the economic growth of the community and ITI and polytechnic training centres should be set up in areas where more Muslims live. Education from religious centres like Madrasas should also be an eligibility to join such skill development programmes, he said.

He said that the State government of Jammu and Kashmir is focusing on education, skill development and creation of employment as centre od its vision for growth.

The State government has taken steps to set up more government schools, smart class rooms, skill development programmes and new nursing and paramedical colleges.

"My vision is to see Jammu and Kashmir as the knowledge hub," he said. He added that the state government is taking innovative initiatives to provide higher education and has set up satellite campuses of universities. It is also planning to have IIT amd IIM and new AIIMS, in the State, he added.

The UEF, which is working towards improving the socio-economic status of the minority community in India, is aiming to facilitate Rs 10,000 crore of economic enhabcement for its members by 2020, which means entering into memotandum of understanding with the small and medium industry from the community to enhance their business through arranging investments and mentorship for them.