Empowering Minorities

RK News
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27 Nov 2025

Inclusivity blended with equal opportunities to bring the marginalized sections at par with the empowered sections is the cardinal principle of the governance in India meant to bridge this gap. In the National Review Meeting of States and Union Territories on the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi convened by Ministry of Minority Affairs that was chaired by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs and attended by various functionaries of government besides other stakeholders,stock was taken of the progress under PMJVK and accelerating on-ground implementation of welfare, education, health, infrastructure and area-development projects in minority-concentrated regions across the country. A key focus of the meeting was the effective utilisation of the newly launched PMJVK Portal and the SNA SPARSH fund-flow mechanism. The Secretary emphasised that this initiative will significantly enhance transparency, real-time monitoring, geo-tagging of assets, and timely delivery of project benefits.All States and UTs were urged to ensure strict adherence to the updated fund release processes, including uploading bills through SNA SPARSH, mapping expenditures to project IDs, and updating progress through the new mobile application. The Ministry also highlighted support for establishing State-level Project Management Units (PMUs) and conducting third-party audits for high-value projects to ensure accountability and quality assurance. Reflecting on the ideals of Constitution Day, Dr. Kumar reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive governance, equitable development, and empowering minority communities. He stressed that PMJVK plays a critical role in bridging development gaps in minority-concentration areas and contributes directly to the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. The States and UTs were encouraged to actively channelise scheme benefits to eligible regions, enhance implementation efficiency, and ensure that welfare and development initiatives translate into tangible improvements on the ground. The Ministry reiterated that inclusive development remains central to its mandate and assured full cooperation to States/UTs for timely execution, transparent fund utilisation, and community-centric planning. The Secretary noted that coordinated Centre–State–UT efforts are essential for ensuring that every sanctioned project delivers measurable impact. The Ministry of Minority Affairs remains fully committed to strengthening last-mile delivery under PMJVK and advancing the socio-economic development of minority communities across India. It is pertinent to mention that India has been maintaining robust growth and development of the minorities when compared to the condition of the minorities in the neighbouring nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh where the human rights record is dismal and the religious minorities are being subjected to continuous genocide. Social media is flooded with videos and information that brings to the fore the forcible conversions of religious minorities and the abduction of the girls and women meant to change their religion and get them forcibly married.India has been in the forefront of safeguarding the minority rights.Though there have been enough provocations in the Indian neighbourhood to disturb the social harmony by indulging in genocidal attrition of the religious minorities by both Pakistan and Bangladesh. After Pakistan, now Bangladesh is competing with Islamabad to emerge as another inhuman state indulging in human rights violation of religious minorities. This has been accelerated after the dethronement of the elected Sheikh Hasina government leading to wholesale intimidation, persecution and genocide of the minorities in Bangladesh.