Scheme to be launched for skill development of minorities

A nationwide scheme for skill development of minorities is set to be launched ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, which will ensure that workers from these communities engaged in growth-oriented sectors are part of the larger network.
The Minority Affairs Ministry headed by K Rahman Khan is in process of formulating the new scheme.
"My ministry is in process of formulating a new scheme for skill development of minorities. The ministry intends to intervene to help workers engaged in growth-oriented sectors to become part of the larger market network. Skill upgradation, education and credit availability, will have an important role in both these strategies," Khan said.

Besides the ministry, in a bid to counter the criticism of not implementing all recommendations of Sachar Committee that went into the issue of the backwardness of Muslims, is pushing this year for setting up of Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC), National Data Bank (NDB) and Diversity Index.
The measures will strive to ensure equal opportunities to minorities in both public and private sectors.
EOC, a key recommendation of the Sachar Committee has got its mandate pruned, after a GoM headed by A K Antony decided to keep it minority centric as objections were raised from other regarding the mandate and location of the earlier proposed omnibus body.

"All the three recommendations of the Sachar Committee regarding setting up the EOC, the NDB and Diversity Index are at the stage of active discussion. We are going to bring a bill on the EOC. It has been sent for the concurrence of the Law Ministry," Khan said.