No govt benefits for minorities in AP, Assam districts

New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) Minorities in nine districts of two Congress-ruled states Arunachal Pradesh and Assam are yet to receive benefits that they are entitled to under a key central government scheme, as the states have failed to approve the district plans so far.

In Arunachal Pradesh, nine districts are included in the list of Minority Concentrated Districts (MCD) where the Centre is implementing a multi-sectoral development programme to address issues relating to education, skill development, employment, sanitation, housing, drinking water and power supply.

However, seven MCDs, most of which have both socio-economic and basic amenities parameters below the national average, have not been able to avail the benefits.

"The District Plan of these districts could not be approved as none has been submitted by the state Government, despite repeated requests by the Ministry," sources in the government said.