MSDP, PM's programme reviewed

All efforts should be made to implement in letter and spirit the programmes under Multi- Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP) and Prime Minister's new 15-point programme for welfare of minorities in Assam, Union Minister for Minority Affairs K Rahman Khan today said.
Khan, who reviewed the progress of the programmes with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, ministers and senior officials of central and state governments, said the PM's programme is a comprehensive one envisaging location of a certain proportion of development projects in minority concentration areas to ensure that benefits of schemes included in it flow equitably to the minorities.
It provides that, wherever possible, 15 per cent of targets and outlays under various schemes be earmarked for the minorities, he said.

Khan asked officials to submit utilisation certificates on time to avail funds available to the state government. He also asked them to be pro-active and to strictly monitor the programmes at regular intervals following the decision to convert MSDP from district-based into block centric.
"With the conversion of MSDP from district-based to block-centric, there will be altogether 118 blocks and one town comprising 13 minority concentrated districts in Assam," he said.
The central minister underscored the need for skill development among the unemployed youth belonging to minority communities through ITIs and polytechnics with focus on school drop-outs.