Minorities given special consideration in appointments: Khurshid

Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid Friday said that under the prime minister's 15 point programme special consideration is given to minorities for appointment in police, armed forces and public sector units.

"The prime minister's new 15 point programme for the welfare of minorities provides for giving special consideration to minorities in recruitment of police personnel, central police forces, railways, nationalized banks and public sector enterprises and for this purpose, the composition of selection committees should be representative," Khurshid said in a reply in Lok Sabha.

Khurshid said that in pursuance of this, the department of personnel and training (DOPT) issued an office memorandum on Jan 8, 2007.

The guidelines issued by DOPT include instructions for monitoring the progress in recruitment of minorities in all ministries/departments, public sector enterprises, public sector banks and financial institutions.

Khurshid said that based on prime minister's 15 point programme and the recommendations of the Sachar Committee, three scholarship schemes and a coaching and allied scheme have been introduced exclusively for students from the minority communities.

These schemes would enable students to pursue education starting from the primary level to higher education, including technical and professional courses, and provide coaching for employment in jobs in the government and private sector enabling them to compete effectively.

Last updated on Jul 10^th, 2009 at 21:49 pm IST--IANS