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Author: Mahendra Kumar Singh
Publication: The Times of India
Date: January 15, 2007
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahead_of_polls_Centre_maps_minority_districts_in_country/articleshow/1187465.cms
Ahead of crucial assembly elections in politically sensitive UP and three other states, the UPA government is considering a plan to prepare a geographical map of minorities across the country.
The minority affairs ministry, with the help of the registrar general of India, has already undertaken initial mapping of districts with more than 25% minority population to ensure flow of funds to these areas on a priority.
According to sources, there are 156 districts, 1,228 blocks and nearly 303 towns with population over 50,000 which have more than 25% minority population.
As part of the exercise, which flows from PM Manmohan Singh's call for a "fair deal" to minorities at the NDC meet, the ministry has been trying to get other ministries to formulate special plans for these districts.
It has also asked for creation of a special inter-ministerial taskforce to ensure proper implementation of the programme. It has identified upgradation of civil amenities, housing, education, health and employment opportunities as priorities for minority-dominated cities and towns during the 11th Plan.
On top of the 'to do' list is upgradation of urban infrastructure. The ministry's initial study shows that minorities are mostly concentrated in cities and towns. "The all-India urban population is 27.82%. The proportion is much higher among minorities, 34.71% of whom live in cities. As many as 35.74% of all Indian Muslims are urban dwellers," a ministry source said.
According to government calculations, in seven states and four UTs, more than 50% of the minorities live in cities and towns. Making a case for dedicated funding, the ministry has cited poor conditions in bomb-scarred Malegaon to argue that India's development strategy has failed to address basic needs of minorities, who more often live in slums.
"These pockets of deprivation and discontent are happy hunting grounds for disgruntled elements from within and across the borders," the ministry said in a note to PMO.
Keeping an eye on the next general elections to be held in two-and-a-half years, the ministry has proposed that districts with predominantly minority population and abutting the borders be given special attention.
Stating that the situation in these regions can have serious repercussions for security, the ministry has stressed accelerated development to ensure "palpable results within the next two years".
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