Schemes on Welfare of Minorities & other Backward Classes in Manipur

Imphal, Dec. 17, : The Department for the Welfare of Minorities and Other Backward Classes (MOBC), Manipur was established in 1998 for the protection of interests of Minority and OBC communities and taking up welfare programmes/schemes for them under the assistance from Central Government and State Government.
The department so far constructed OBC Boys’ Hostel at DMC of Commerce, OBC Girls’ Hostel at Ideal College – Akampat, OBC Muslim Girls’ Hostel at Hafiz Hatta, OBC Boys & Girls’ Hostels at Kiyamgei. Construction of OBC Boys’ & Girls’ Hostels at Lilong Haoreibi College, OBC Boys’ & Girls’ Hostels at Sangaiyumpham and OBC Girls’ Hostel at Lamding Model Higher Secondary were under process.
The department under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India had been providing OBC Post-Matric Scholarship for students above Class X and OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship for students from Class 1 to X since 2001-2002.  On the other hand, the department under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India had been providing Minority Pre-Matric Scholarship since 2008-2009, Minority Post Matric Scholarship since 2007-2008 and Minority Merit cum Means based Scholarship since 2007-2008.
 Seven districts namely Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Thoubal and Imphal East were selected for the Multi-Sectoral Development Programme under Central Plan Schemes during the 11th and 12th Plan to construct houses, Labour Rooms, PHC Buildings, ITI, Anganwadi Centres.
The State Government focused on the Economic Development Programme (EDP) under State Plan and provided grants to beneficiaries to improve socio-economic status of Minority and OBC communities. Grants were provided for economic activities such as Fishery, Vegetable Farming, Irrigation Pump Set, Poultry, Tailoring, Embroidery and Carpentry.
The Skill Development Programme (SDP) which started since 2002-2003 aimed to enhance the skills of the target groups by giving training in income generating schemes/trades such as Bamboo Craft, Mobile Repairing, Paramedical, Embroidery, Tailoring, Hospitality, Carpentry, DTP etc.
 The State Government under Housing Scheme provided CGI sheets to poor and needy Minority and OBC communities since 2007-2008. Under the Health Scheme, the State Government provided financial assistance to the beneficiaries who had undergone treatment in government hospitals and health centres. Under the scheme beneficiaries have been provided plastic water as sanitary item since 2014-2015. Individuals whose annual family income below Rs 22,000/- were beneficiaries of those schemes. 
The State Government had been providing Coaching Programmes for poor and needy minority students for subjects – Science, Mathematics and English since 2009-2010.
Grant-in-aids were given to Wakf Board, Manipur for payment of registration of Madrassas, Modernisation of Madrassa and Scholarships; to State Haj Committee for Haj Pilgrimage and related matters; to Manipur State Minorities Commission for taking up issues related to protection of Minorities’ Rights and creation of awareness of Minority Welfare Programmes; to Manipur Minorities and Other Backward Classes Economic Development Society (MOBEDS) for conducting coaching, taking up various deposit works of different departments and extending educational loan for course like MBBS, B.E., NDA and MCA/MBA to the target groups; and to State Commission for OBCs for upliftment of OBCs in the state which culminated in the adoption of reservation policy for OBCs in the state.
(DIPR)