Haj is transferred to Ministry of Minority Affairs: Dr. Najma Heptulla

The one day Annual Conference of the State Minorities Commissionsbegan here today.Inaugurating the Conference Dr.Najma Heptulla, the Union Minister,Minority Affairs said that it is the culture that unites not the religion. The culture is the thread that puts flowers of all religions in to a garland, she added. Emphasising the focus of the Central Government being inclusive growth with motto “SabkaSaath,SabkaVikas”, the Minister said to discriminate means to deprive of development.

In a federal system, the Centre can plan and devise schemes but the implementation lies with the states, she further added. The Minister asked the conference to discuss ways for monitoring the implementation of various schemes. Dr. Najma urged participants to be more responsible, vigilant and willing to evolve a system for State Centre cooperation and not competition. The spirit of cooperationandsupport in identifying areas in need of development and monitoring implementation of various schemes can immensely benefit all stakeholders. She said that Ministry is focusing on empowering minorities through education and skill development and asked for supporting this endeavour.

Disclosing that Haj pilgrimage is being transferred to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Dr. Najma Heptulla said that in principle decision to this effect has been taken and modalities are to be worked out for its implementation.

Earlier Sh. Naseem Ahmad, Chairman, NCM welcoming the participants said that though SMCs work independently in their respective states but NCM feels that all are sister organizations working towards similar objectives. It is a platform for all stake holders to share and update themselves on issues relating to minorities.

The one day Conference focusing on Development of Minorities had two Technical sessions besides the inaugural, and the Valedictory. Shree Praveen Davar, Member, NCM addressed the Technical I session on “Minority Welfare Schemes of Government of India-An Overview” while Technical II session on “Functioning of State Minorities Commissions-Problems and Challenges” was addressed by Ms. Mabel Rebello, another MembeNCM.

The Conference is held every year on a theme which the National Commission for Minorities considers as relevant and important to the Minorities and the State Minorities Commissions, the State Governments particularly the Minority Welfare Departments and NGOs dealing with minority issues. The last Annual Conference held in 2015 was on the theme “Capacity building of Minority Educational Institutions in India” and “Corporate Social Responsibility and Development of Minorities in India”.