Changing mindset of people biggest challenge: Heptulla

Changing the mindset of people towards the Narendra Modi government over its dealing with minorities is the biggest challenge, Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla said here today while suggesting that the new dispensation has done more for them than the previous regime.
"Before Narendra Modi became PM, there were apprehensions in people's mind that when he becomes the PM, the minority affairs ministry will be dissolved. But it is already 100 days now and the ministry has got better financial allocation than previous years," she said at a press conference here.
"As far as the biggest challenge is concerned, it is to change the mindset," Heptullah said while insisting that her ministry was focussing on fighting poverty, unemployment and backwardness among the minorities.

However, she refused to comment about the alleged communal speeches by a section of BJP leaders in the backdrop of the recently concluded bypolls.
Addressing the press conference to present the work done by her ministry in 100 days, she cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas".
She said, "The Sachar Committee had made 76 recommendations and the Prime Minister had clearly told me that I want basic things for the Muslims should reach them."

Heptulla said efforts were being made to ensure passage of legislation on Wakf properties in the Winter session of Parliament as the bill is pending before Parliamentary Standing Committee.

About six lakh acres of property belonging to Wakf boards are spread across India, she said adding that development of these properties would fetch the ministry Rs 20,000 crores, which would be adequate enough to carry out welfare schemes for the minorities effectively.
Dismissing suggestions that her ministry's programmes in the last 100 days were follow up of the UPA Government's schemes, she asserted that new initiatives have been taken within a span of just 100 days.
Highlighting achievements of her ministry, she said that about five new initiatives have been taken in the last 100 days for the development of the minority people.