West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee announced that the State has been ranked at No 1 in the current financial year in awarding scholarships to students of minority communities. A report was published on the website of the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, featuring the statistics.
West Bengal Chief Minister wrote on Facebook:
“West Bengal ranks No 1 in the country in the current financial year in awarding scholarships to students of minority communities, as per web report of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.
Since May, 2011, we have sanctioned nearly Rs.1456 Crore scholarships to around 82 Lakh Minority students for their higher studies, which is an all time record.
Term loan and micro credit amounting to more than Rs.600 Crore have so far been provided to nearly 3 lakh 50 thousand minority community persons, which is also a record.
Bengal is also No 1 in the country in utilization of funds under MSDP for creation of long term assets in education, health, housing, drinking water etc sectors for minority communities.
We have brought 94.5% of the Muslim communities of the state under OBC and made provision for reservation in jobs and higher education without disturbing seats for general and other candidates.
State Budget for Minorities and Madrasah Education Department has been significantly raised from Rs.472 Crore in 2010-11 to Rs.2,383 Crore in 2015-16, almost four and half times increase.
Our government is fully committed to holistic development of our brothers and sisters belonging to minority communities and ensuring their well being”, said the West Bengal Chief Minister.