AN EVENING OF THE IOS WITH MR. K. RAHMAN KHAN

New Delhi, November 14: “Though the challenges are a lot before us, our focus will be to audit and bring high standards of transparency and accountability to make the advantages of schemes related to minorities and Muslims visible and effective on the ground”, said Mr. K. Rahman Khan, the newly-appointed Minister of Minority Affairs, while defining the priorities of the Ministry as an agenda for the for the next three and six months period, at an interactive meeting organised by the Institute of Objective Studies today at the Constitution Club.

The first priority would be the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill by Parliament during coming winter session followed by the creation of Waqf Financial Development Corporation, a decision on which had already been taken by the Government two years back, Mr. Khan said. It would help in development of the Waqf properties across the country resulting in an income of ten thousand crore rupees annually. Strengthening of Minorities Finance Development Corporation and making it effective for the minorities would also be the priority, he further said.

Mr. Khan said that his focus during next six months would be to monitor different schemes in which he sought cooperation of the masses in general and Muslim community in particular. As regards establishing 5 new minority universities, he informed that these would be purely minority universities and would be formed under the Private-Public Partnership scheme. These universities will run under Maulana Azad Foundation.

Responding on the power-point presentation made on the occasion by the IOS, he said that the Institute had put before him a roadmap which would work as a guideline in coming days.

The power-point presentation (copy annexed below) on the vision and task together pertaining to issues, challenges and appropriate action required on different issues of the minorities, particularly insecurity and fear-psychosis, education, economy, employment, awqaf and research, was presented by Mr. Raju Mansukhani on behalf of the Institute of Objective Studies. The presentation contained a summary of the views presented on the above subjects by the people from different spheres, such as retired judges, senior advocates, university professors, academics, activists, experts; women and youth in a brain-storming session organised by the IOS in earlier in the week.

Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam while congratulating Mr. K. Rahman Khan on his assumption as the Cabinet Minister of Minority Affairs said that minorities, particularly Muslims, were at present under depression, frustration and disappointment. In order to take them out of the frustration, “your role as Minister of Minority Affairs is indeed very important and significant”, he said. He further assured the hon’ble minister of all necessary help and cooperation in matters of mutual interest of the Ministry with an assurance on the part of the Institute to do its best to serve the nation, society and the minorities’ interests. He mentioned some publications relevant to the subject like a series on (a) Readings on minorities, (b) Empowerment of Muslims and (b) Awqaf brought out by the Institute and hoped that these would be helpful for the ministry in one way or the other.

The programme was presided over by Justice A.M. Ahmadi, former Chief Justice of India, while Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad, advocate, conducted the proceedings. Prof. Z.M. Khan, Secretary General of the Institute of Objective Studies, welcomed the guest and initiated the proceedings.

Some important participants of the programme included Sardar Gurdip Singh of United Sikh Forum, Ms. Laila Parsa, General Secretary of YWCA, representatives from Churches of North India, Mohammad Ahmad, Secretary of Jamat-e-Islami Hind, Mujtaba Farooque, President of Welfare Party, Prof. Manzoor Ahmad, Vice-chancellor Vivekanad Subharti University, Dr. Ausaf Ahmad, former editor, Mutaleaat, Dr. Kumar Rajiv from Jodhpur University, Mr. A. Q. Akhtar, eminent lawyer and social activist from Jaipur, Prof. E. Hasnain, former V-C of Hyderabad University, Dr. Nilofar Kazmi, former secretary, University Grants Commission, Khwaja Abdul Muntaqim, director, Rangnath Mishra Commission, E.M. Abdur Rahman, president Popular Front of India etc. besides participation of academics, experts, media persons, social activist and youth.

Presentation