Addressing the function, Dr SA Latif Shah observed the need to implement the Minority Act. Stating that these four communities of the State were backward educationally and socially, Dr Shah asserted that the Minority Commission should implement the Act for the benefit of the minorities.
Dr Shah reminded of the 15 point Prime Minister’s programme for minorities which includes rehabilitation of victims of communal riots, housing scheme, improvement of education, recruitment to services, etc.
Md Allaudin Khan, Minister of Minority and Other Backward Classes (MOBC) informed that the MOBC department was becoming one of the major departments of the State in terms of education and development. He also appealed to the militant outfits not to disturb the developmental programmes especially those for the people living below poverty line (BPL).
The Minister also informed that the State Government was doing its best to implement the Minority Act in the State. Funds are also ready to be released for awareness programmes on Minority Rights, added the Minister.
And in what could be considered a big boost to the educational status of the minorities, the Minister informed that from the first week of February, ten more free coaching centres for the BPLs would be opened.
Former Speaker of the Manipur Assembly Md Maniruddin Sheikh pointed out that education was the backbone for the development of the minorities and called upon the elders of the communities to guide the youths of the day.