November 09, 2001

    The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has decided to set up an institute of excellence in each state to help students belonging to Scheduled Castes, other Backward Classes and minorities in competing in examinations for recruitment to jobs and institutions of higher learning. Addressing the Conference of Editors covering Social Issues here today, the Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya said that the Centrally Sponsored Coaching and Allied Scheme for SC students has been revised from this month to cover students belonging to minorities and other backward classes. He said that the Ministry is working on identifying a set up at the national level to coordinate the activities of NGOs. Similar set ups are envisaged at the states level. Dr. Jatiya said that the Ministry is considering to set up a national mission to liberate persons from working in unhealthy vocations. He said that more than Rs.17 crore have been alloted for acquiring land for the Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial. Dr. Jatiya also disclosed the Ministry is actively considering setting up of Maulana Azad Chair in major universities and other important institutions for conducting long term research on issues relating to educational development of minorities