Govt according top priority to minority welfare, says Bhatti | Hyderabad News

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 deputy CM chaired a high-level review meeting on minority welfare at Praja Bhavan and also gave approval for completion of construction of a multi-storeyed building adjacent to Haj House in Nampally, work on which had been pending for several years.Vikramarka also instructed officials from the minority welfare department to take steps and issue the necessary directions and orders to clear any hurdles for setting up study circles for minority students, and do the needful on this front.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.He also instructed the GHMC to release ₹25 crore from the amount due to the Wakf Board for wakf land used in various road widening projects, earmarking the funds for completing the partially constructed building next to Haj House. This building, once completed, can be used to house a study circle for minorities as well as to house various offices of the minorities welfare department.Declaring that there “will be no delays in clearing bills for buildings for educational institutions,” Vikramarka directed the GHMC to look into the issues that were delaying the setting up of two study circles, one each in Moghulpura and Bandlaguda areas.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. 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.