The Telangana government is mulling utilising waqf land parcels for setting up educational institutions to give fillip to the education of Muslims.
At a review meeting with officials of the Minorities Welfare department, including secretary M. Dana Kishore and Commissioner of Minorities Welfare Shahnawaz Qasim, and its allied agencies on Friday, Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi said, “Our plan is to utilise waqf lands in a productive manner to boost Muslims education.”
Mr. Joshi sought a detailed report on waqf land parcels in the State where possibilities of establishing educational institutions for Muslims would soon be explored. He said that in an attempt to equip youth from minority communities with skills, the government is planning to construct a National Skill Development Centre. Proposals will be prepared and, after scrutiny, would be sent to the Centre.
Mr. Joshi said the Centre has sanctioned seven such skill development centres in FY 2016-17 with ₹126 crore being derived from the multi-sectoral development plan. Of this, the State’s share is ₹25.50 crore under Phase–II of the plan. Six residential schools have also been sanctioned under this plan.
The officials also discussed filling up vacancies in the 204 schools managed by the Telangana Minorities Residential Educational Institutions Society. As many as 1,321 posts have been filled thus far through the Telangana State Public Service Commission. Another 1,863 will be filled through Telangana Residential Educational Institution Recruitment Board.
He also said ₹109 crore was released to give wings to aspirations of 968 candidates who wished to pursue higher education in foreign countries under Chief Minister’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Minorities.
Touching upon the State government’s scheme for women from the minority community, Mr. Joshi said out of the 24,662 applications received for the Shaadi Mubarak scheme, a total of 11,746 applications have been approved.