Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM writes to CMs on the 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmmohan Singh has urged the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories to fix targets for each programme under the New 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities.

In a letter dated September 10, 2006, Dr. Singh also emphasised the need to set up mechanisms to monitor the progress of their implementation. Stating that it would be monitored by a Committee of Secretaries at the Centre, which would submit a report to the Union Cabinet, the Prime Minister asked them to put in place a similar mechanism so that the programme receives "due" attention at the "highest" level.

Dr. Singh also asserted that the importance of maintenance of communal peace and harmony and provision of a fair share in Central and State Government employment, including the public sector undertakings, to the minorities remains undiluted and these continue to be fundamental constituents of the revised programme.

Following is the text of the Prime Minister's letter:

"As you may recollect, in 1983, the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi, had announced a 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities. The programme was designed to counter the menace of communal disharmony and violence, ensure representation to minorities in Government employment and provide a fair share to them in programmes for economic empowerment.

Over the years, a large number of developmental schemes have been introduced to address specific problems relating to education, health, employment, shelter etc. for the poor and the under privileged. Most of these programmes are either area-specific or have defined target groups. Naturally, the poor and the underprivileged amongst the minorities are included in the target groups and are entitled to an equitable flow of benefits to them under these programmes. However, available evidence does not inspire confidence that the benefits of these schemes have flowed equitably to the eligible sections amongst the minorities. In view of this, it has been felt necessary to recast the 15-Point Programme to include specific interventions that would ensure equitable flow of benefits to the minorities in accordance with our broad developmental goals. Accordingly, the Government has finalized the New 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorites, a copy of which is enclosed.

The importance of maintenance of communal peace and harmony and provision of a fair share in Central and State Government employment, including the public sector undertakings, to the minorities remains undiluted and these continue to be fundamental constituents of the revised programme.

The programme will be implemented by the Central Ministries/Departments concerned through the State Governments/Union Territories. Considering the complexity of the programme and its wide reach, it is important to fix specific targets for each programme and for each State/Union Territory. At the Centre, the progress of implementation, with reference to targets, will be submitted to the Union Cabinet A similar mechanism could be put in place in your State/Union Territory to ensure that the implementation of the programme receives due attention at the highest level.

I look forward to receiving your cooperation and assistance in the successful implementation of this programme."