Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government led by Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken a major step regarding minority welfare. A detailed study will be conducted on the changes in the economic, social, educational, and cultural conditions of minority communities living in the state since its formation, that is, over the last approximately 25 years.
For this, a seven-member high-level Minority Welfare Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of retired Justice Akhilesh Chandra Sharma. This committee will study the current condition of minority communities in the state and submit its report to the government.
The government believes that this study will bring out the real condition of minority communities. It will also help assess the effectiveness of the funds spent and schemes implemented so far in the name of their welfare.
The Dhami government has taken several new decisions during its tenure. After implementing the Uniform Civil Code, now to promote equality in the education system of minority communities, a Minority Education Authority has been formed. This new law will come into effect from July 1, after which the Madrasa Education Board in the state will be abolished.
Committee tenure will be six months
Members of the committee include retired Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh, Surekha Dangwal (Vice Chancellor, Doon University), social worker Manu Gaur, Farzana Begum (Vice Chairperson, Uttarakhand Minority Commission), and social worker Rajpal Singh.
The Director of the Minority Welfare Department will be the ex-officio Member Secretary of the committee. The tenure of the committee has been fixed at six months, which can be extended if required.
Scope of the committee’s study
The committee will study the following points:
• Economic, social, educational, and cultural condition of minority communities at the time of state formation
• Changes in these conditions since the formation of the state
• Status of implementation of constitutional rights and laws related to minorities
• Survey, study, and evaluation of the functioning of related institutions
• Discussions with government officials and subject experts
Consideration on Waqf Board regulations
The Uttarakhand government is also considering adopting the central government’s model rules regarding the management of Waqf properties in the state. A committee will soon be formed at the government level to study this.
Additional Secretary of Minority Welfare Department, Girdhari Singh Rawat, said that a proposal has been sought from the Uttarakhand Waqf Board in this regard. A decision will be taken according to the state after studying the central rules.
