Heptulla reviews minorities welfare scheme of Western region

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptulla reviewed the implementation of welfare programmes for minorities by states and Union territories of Western India here today.
Issues like disbursement of scholarships, utilisation of funds released, enabling minorities to access collateral free soft loans and development of their skills according to the demands of the market, were discussed.
States raised the issue of protection of Wakf Board lands from encroachments, a release said.
Gujarat officials highlighted that they would repay the overdue of NMDFC very soon to make soft loans available to minorities.
Madhya Pradesh's Additional Chief Secretary requested a raise in the number of scholarships, funds for maintenance of projects under the MSDP and implementation of the USTTAD scheme.

Representatives from Daman & Diu informed about welfare activities taken up for minorities, particularly the Parsis.
Heptulla expressed concern about Parsis and their properties in Gujarat as well as Daman & Diu.
Those present at the meeting included Eknath Khadse and Arun Chaturvedi, besides minority welfare ministers of Maharashtra and Rajasthan respectively as well as senior officials from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep.