Minority Affairs conducts awareness programmes

DIMAPUR — The Directorate of Minority Affairs conducted a sensitisation and awareness programme on the schemes under the Ministry of Minority Affairs at Chümoukedima and Niuland on Friday.

Speaking at the programme held in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office in Chümoukedima, the director of Minority Affairs, Shashank Pratap Singh, stated that the directorate of Minority Affairs was created by the state government right after the state general election in 2023. He added that the directorate was created for the minority community for their rights and interest.

Singh mentioned that there is no state-wise category of minority and all the states follow the list provided by the National Commission. He stated that it is the mandate of the department to reach to the last people in Nagaland from the minority community to apprise their rights and about the schemes.

He highlighted various schemes including PMJVK, which is an infrastructure development programme. He added that minority population with more than 25% in a block can take a project to fill the gaps in the various socio economic indicators.

He mentioned that earlier Niuland block was the only eligible block for PMJVK in Nagaland. He added that all the blocks in Nagaland are now eligible to take up project under PMJVK following intervention by the state government with the Ministry.

He also highlighted the PM VIKAS scheme, which is for the promotion of handicrafts and artisans including infrastructure building.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Chümoukedima, Abhinav Shivam, has appreciated the team from the directorate of Minority Affairs for conducting the awareness programme. He expressed hoped that the programme would benefit the attendees, who in turn, would spread awareness about the schemes and programmes of the department.

Other highlights included presentation on various schemes under the Ministry of Minority Affairs such as NMDFC and PM VIKAS by the joint director, Andrew C Imti; PMJVK by project officer, Shalo Khing; minority scholarship schemes by Vizosenuo Savi.

Representatives from all village councils under Chümoukedima district and members of CYO, CTSU, CTYO, CWO and Muslim Union Chümoukedima attended the programme.

Similar programme was also held at Niuland town hall by the team.

The ADC of Niuland, S Athsangla, delivered the welcome address, while the keynote address was presented by director of Minority Affairs, Shashank Pratap Singh.

The programme was attended by GBs, village council chairmen of Niuland Sadar, NGOs and department officers.