In the wake of Karnataka Minority Development Corporation (KMDC) losing the NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Companies) status, Popular Front of India’s state president Yasir Hasan accused the state BJP government of extreme neglect and apathy towards minorities.
“The neglect of the Karnataka Minority Development Corporation during the term of the state’s BJP administration is a glaring example of the government’s discriminatory practices against the minorities”, he said.
The Karnataka Minority Development Corporation was established 35 years ago to develop religious minorities in the state and function under the supervision of the State Government’s Department of Minority Welfare. The Corporation is also a state-owned enterprise which had achieved some level of success in helping development-related projects. But now, the corporation has reportedly lost its NBFC status due to non-compliance with NBFC’s core business standards and has reportedly recorded a fall in property income ratios which is now below the minimum prescribed requirement. Although the regional director of the Reserve Bank of India had written a letter, it has been observed that the government’s department has not shown interest but has been rather reluctant to regain the NBFC status and certification.
“The government’s steady attempts towards gradually closing the Minority Development Corporation is an unfair, biased act taken against the Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, and specifically Christian and Muslim communities. Notably, in the past, the government had also indulged in slowly cutting back on the grants meant for the Knowledge/Awareness Schemes that were allocated for educational assistance. With that, the government had also deducted the amounts apportioned for fellowships offered to eligible students seeking to finish their PhD and MPhil degrees. Before that, the government had made excessive cutbacks on grants allocated for the minority welfare projects”, he informed.
Commissions that have recognized the serious backwardness of minorities, especially the Muslim community, have recommended many welfare programs. However, only the BJP government is blocking development-related initiatives and committing injustice against the minorities by obstructing the economic and educational empowerment of the minorities.
Urging the government to end its neglectful approach towards the minorities he said, “Looking out for the welfare of the minorities is the responsibility of the government. In this regard, it is imperative for the government to treat its minorities in a fair and just manner. The government must abandon its neglectful attitude in this regard and take necessary steps to save the corporation, and ensure the welfare, development of minorities”, Yasir Hasan demanded.
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