More Minority Appeasement In Karnataka? — Read Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan's Latest Announcements

Minister for Housing and Minorities Welfare B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan announced that the Government of Karnataka is considering increasing the bracket for the loan amount provided to meritorious students from the minority communities from three lakh rupees to five lakh rupees.

On Tuesday (22 August), Khan announced the schemes for this current year (2023-24) that were formulated by the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation (KMDC).

“At present, the KMDC was giving a loan of ₹3 lakh to those students who have taken the MBBS admission under the government quota, and that amount may be increased to ₹5 lakh. This would help the economically weaker students to pursue higher education", he said, as quoted by a report by the Hindustan Times.

Students belonging to the minority communities who are studying abroad presently may also receive such similar benefits.

Furthermore, he stated that at present, "₹20 lakh education loan being given to the minority students who study abroad in the recognised universities to pursue degree and post-graduation. It may be hiked to ₹30 lakh with the help of KMDC. In the last three years, the state was not getting the National Minority Development Board schemes but after holding a meeting, now we are getting the annual grant of ₹50 crore."

At the launch yesterday, several schemes were announced:

• Three lakh rupees subsidy for the unemployed to purchase four-wheelers;

• To impart skill development training, Shrama Shakti has been started;

• Rs 50,000 loan scheme for widows, unmarried and divorced women.