Hyderabad: Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday said the Congress govt is according top priority to the development and welfare of minorities, with a special focus on their social, economic and educational advancement, as well as creating essential infrastructure.
The govt was giving special importance to the development of Hyderabad’s Old City and allocating substantial funds for various development initiatives, he said. In a significant step that widens the prospects for higher education for students from these communities, the deputy CM also said the govt will take the necessary steps to add Egypt and Saudi Arabia to the list of countries to which eligible minority students can go to pursue higher studies with financial assistance under the Overseas Scholarship programme of the govt. The meeting was attended by minorities welfare minister Md Azharuddin, AIMIM floor leader in the legislative assembly Akbaruddin Owaisi , principal secretary minorities welfare Ahmad Nadeem, secretary minorities welfare B Shafiullah, and GHMC commissioner RV Karnan along with several other officials.
Vikramarka, responding to requests from Owaisi, said there will be no delays in release of funds for schools, study circles and other education institutions that will help students from minority communities in their academic pursuits. Responding to several other requests from Owaisi, who also urged the deputy CM on issues relating to Christian minorities, Vikramarka said the govt will examine all issues, including Shaadi Mubaarak, alternate land for an Islamic Cultural Centre, clearing applications from minorities under the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme, and pre-Matric Scholarships, and ensure release of the required funds in a timely manner. He asked Owaisi, who offered ready-to-use space in these two locations for the study circles, to formally submit his readiness to offer the required space.