Govt to prepare data bank of minority community artisans

The government has decided to prepare a data bank of minority community artisans who could be a "pillar" of the Centre's flagship 'Make in India' programme, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said today.
The Minister of State for Minority Affairs said the government would establish 'hunar (skill) hubs' in all states to promote the artisans from the communities.
Naqvi reiterated that the government has formed a panel to frame its new Haj policy in the light of the 2012 Supreme Court order for abolishing the subsidy offered to pilgrims.
The committee will figure out ways to see the devotees are not "burdened" without the subsidy. In this context, he said the number of Haj embarkation points, currently 21, should not be increased.

"We have decided to set up hunar hubs in all the states. We will create data bank of the artisans/craftsmen, so that their talent can be exposed to markets, they can work as a pillar of the Make in India programme," Naqvi said.
He made these remarks on the sidelines of a conference of principal secretaries/secretaries-in charge of minority welfare in the states here.

Launched in September 2014, 'Make in India' is an initiative that aims at encouraging national and multi-national companies to manufacture their products in India and requires skilled manpower.
Claiming that the second edition of 'Hunar Haat' held last month was "quite" successful, the minister asserted there are "crores" of artisans whose talent needs to be promoted and the data bank will help do that.

During the conference, Naqvi said his ministry has decided to construct one lakh toilets in madrasas which impart mainstream education besides religious courses and urged the states to play a crucial role in executing the work.
He said the activity will strengthen Swachh Bharat campaign.
"This is part of '3Ts: teachers, tiffins (mid-day meal for students) and toilets for madrasas," he said, reiterating the ministry's plan to set up five world class institutions to provide higher education community members.
Expressing concerns over complaints coming in from "some states" on encroachment of waqf properties, the minister warned that strict action would be taken against those who are involved in wrongdoings.

He, however, did not name the states from where such complaints have been reported.
Naqvi told the attendees that the ministry has approved more than 200 'sadbhav mandaps' (multi-purpose community centres) in last six months and about 24 'Gurukuls' (residential schools) at a cost of Rs 262 crore.
He also said the ministry is reviewing several of its schemes, seeking to do away with practical difficulties in their implementation and said the changes will be "visible" next month onwards.