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Minority welfare: UPA government faulted on poor implementation

New Delhi: Even as the UPA government projected itself as a champion of minorities as part of its "secular agenda" for the nation, schemes initiated for the community's benefit have continued to function poorly with

Discussing their share in economic activity and employment, the report points out that it remains much lower than their over-all numbers.

The report notes that the "lower percentage of Muslim households participating in public employment programme, compared to Hindu or Christian households, suggests that any overt employment programme is unlikely to address the problem of the Muslims".

According to the census, Muslims account for 13.4 percent of the total population. Christians account for 2.3 percent whereas the Sikhs are 1.9 percent of the total population. Jains, Buddhists and Others complete the figure. The Hindu population is estimated at 80.5 percent.

The committee also found that the targets set under employment schemes for the minority communities have "been very low and the achievements have been insignificant."

When it comes to extending financial credit to Muslims, the committee did not find the situation satisfactory.