December 20, 2013
Milan Mela inaugurated at Netaji Indoor Stadium
Milan Mela, a fair organized by the West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation was inaugurated at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Thursday by the State Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra.
Inaugurating the session the Minister pointed out the massive increase in the budget allocation for minorities since Mamata came to office in 2011. From Rs 330 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 859 crore this fiscal – a staggering jump of 160 per cent —the allocation exemplifies how minorities continue to be empowered through self-employment schemes, education and loans for various enterprises, the Minister said.
“Over 5 lakh students were given scholarships and educational loans (amounting to Rs 103 crore), nearly 16,000 class IX and X girls were given bicycles (Rs 46 crore), steps were taken to set up vocational training centers, Urdu became the second official language in the state, and minority bhavans are being constructed in all districts,” Mr. Mitra said while recounting the achievements.
Ms. Mamata Banerjee, after becoming the Chief Minister had been laying special focus Minority Development in the state. Besides increase in budget allocation for this department, she had rigorously followed and implemented the Sachar Committee Report, which helped in the development of minorities in the state.
