Government committed to well-being of minorities: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the Government was fully committed to the well-being of the minorities and had started many schemes for their welfare. "We do not subscribe to the view that to take special care of the deprived sections of the society amounts to appeasement. In fact, we believe that it is our solemn duty to do so, " said Singh today.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the government was fully committed to the well-being of the minorities and had started many schemes for their welfare.

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"We do not subscribe to the view that to take special care of the deprived sections of the society amounts to appeasement. In fact, we believe that it is our solemn duty to do so. Our government will give its full attention to the well-being of our brothers and sisters belonging to the minority communities," he said while addressing the nation on Independence Day.

"We have started many schemes for the welfare of the minorities. These programmes will be taken forward," he added.

Manmohan Singh said funds for special schemes to develop districts that had a concentration of minorities have been enhanced quite substantially this year.

"Similarly, we have allocated increased funds for scholarship schemes for minorities that the first United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had started. A bill to prevent communal violence has been introduced in parliament and efforts will be made to convert it into a law as soon as possible," he added.