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Author: Special Correspondent
Publication: The Hindu
Date: June 10, 2007
URL: http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/10/stories/2007061016070100.htm
Announcing a number of sops to Muslims, including introduction of free mid-day meal scheme in madarsas, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday said that the Government would promulgate an ordinance effecting Muslim reservations.
Dr. Reddy also declared the birthday of Moulana Abul Kalam Azad (November 11) as `Minority Welfare Day' in the State, which would be dedicated exclusively to address the problems of minorities.
Describing Muslim reservations as the subject close to his heart at a function organised by Urdu Academy of Andhra Pradesh for distribution of computers to madarsas here, Dr. Reddy said, "Within a month Insha Allah, we should be in a position to overcome all the hurdles."
Though the madarsas were intended for imparting religious and philosophical education, they were now turning to modern education to ensure better life for their students. The Government was ready to give grants to madarsas for introducing modern education like computers, English, mathematics and sciences, if they desired.
"During the NDA regime at the Centre and the TDP rule in the State, madarsas have been looked down upon as centres for ISI activities and communal tensions. But now, they are being seen as centres of learning," said Dr. Reddy evoking another round of applause. Striking a sentimental chord with Muslims, the Chief Minister asked as to why shouldn't any Muslim get the benefits on a par with SCs and BCs. Therefore, he said, the Government enhanced the scholarship budget from Rs. 4 crore in 2004-05 to Rs. 80 crore.
Dr. Reddy distributed computers to 26 madarsas and presented a cheque for Rs. 10,000 to Rubina Begum, fifth ranker in Intermediate Public Examination. Ministers Mohd. Ali Shabbir, Mohd. Fareeduddin, and M. Mukesh Goud and Urdu Academy Chairman Raheemuddin Ansari also attended the programme.
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