Pic: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru Feb 11: Minister for handloom, textiles and minority welfare Shrimant Balasaheb Patil informed that the state government was planning to provide SSLC equivalent certificate in madrasas that provide religious education.
Addressing media here on Thursday, February 11, Patil said, "We have discussed with several religious leaders on this matter and the response has been positive. There are several madrasas in the state, we will plan to bring in a syllabus and provide certificates equivalent to SSLC for minorities so that it will help them in procuring jobs. Discussions will be held with education experts with regard to syllabus where along with religious education they can include few of the other subjects such as physics, mathematics. However, this plan is still at the preliminary stage."
Shrimant Balasaheb Patil
"The minorities department has sent a proposal to the central government requesting for an ITI institute in every district which will teach job-oriented courses. Proposals have been also sent regarding setting up of polytechnic college in each of the administrative divisions of Karnataka," Patil said.
When asked about the confusion over scholarships to minorities, the minister said, "Due to lockdown 38% budget has been deducted, earlier it was Rs 250 crore for this purpose. Now, Rs 90 crore has been allocated in the budget, of which scholarship to 3.5 lac students worth Rs 78 crore has been distributed. There is a demand for scholarships and over 4.5 lac applications have been received. We will discuss in the pre-budget meeting and urge the chief minister not to deduct budget especially pertaining to education for minorities."
The minister further stated that a new textile policy will be formulated to revive the textile sector. He maintained that the new policy will allow 20% to 40% of subsidies for the sector.
As part of his visit, Patil inaugurated projects worth Rs 40 crore in Mangaluru. He laid foundation stones for several other projects. The minister inaugurated Morarji Desai Boys School and Hostel constructed at the cost of Rs 13 crore in Asai Madaka, Morarji Desai Minority Residential Girls School and Hostel in Konaje constructed at a cost of Rs 13 crore. He laid the foundation stone for the construction of the new building of Morarji Desai PU College at cost of Rs 10.5 crore. The minister also laid the foundation stone for the construction of Maulana Azad Model Schools at Farangipete, Boliyaru, Manjanady at a cost of Rs 2.35 crore each.