In the second quarter of the fiscal year 2023–2024, the Telangana government disbursed a total of Rs. 194.88 crore for minority welfare programs within the state. Secretary for Minority Welfare, Syed Umar Jaleel, outlined the specifics of these initiatives in GO.RT.84.
The budget encompasses various programs, notably the Chief Minister’s Overseas Scholarship Programme for the academic year 2022–2023 and tuition reimbursement. Among these, the Scheme of Training Employment for Minority Candidates received an allotment of Rs 3.78 crore, with Rs 94.7 lakh already granted in the first and second stages, while Rs 1.89 crore remains pending.
The bank-linked subsidy plan has a budget of Rs 150 crore, with Rs 75 crore yet to be issued and Rs 37.50 crore granted in the first and second stages. Similarly, out of the Rs 120 crore allocated for welfare initiatives, Rs 30 crore has been allocated to the minority finance corporation, leaving Rs 60 crore for future allocation. Government hostels were granted Rs. 1.65 crore, of which Rs. 41.25 lakh has been released. Additionally, Rs. 1.92 lakh was provided for the maintenance of residences for minority students.
A budget of Rs 70.80 crore was assigned to the Scholarship for Minority Students, with Rs 17.70 crore disbursed in the first quarter and Rs 35.40 crore yet to be released. For fee reimbursement, out of the Rs 236 crore allocated, Rs 59 crore was issued in the first quarter, and an additional Rs 118 crore will follow. The Minorities’ Study Circle was allotted Rs 2.5 crore, with Rs 62.5 lakh already distributed.
Rs 118 crore has been earmarked for the Chief Minister’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme, with Rs 29.70 crore granted in the second quarter and an anticipated Rs 58.79 crore to be disbursed. Osmania University received Rs 1 crore in two installments, with another Rs 1 crore outstanding. During the second quarter, the Urdu Academy received Rs 29.25 lakh in support, with an additional Rs 58.5 lakh pending.
The Telangana Waqf Board received 68 crores of rupees from the budget for imams’ and muezzins’ honoraria. Of this, 17 crores have been disbursed in two phases, and another 34 crores are yet to be released. The Survey Commissioner Waqf was allocated 18.38 lakh rupees, with 4.59 lakh rupees per person released in the second quarter and 9.2 lakh rupees pending. Out of the total budget of Rs. 2 crore, Rs. 1 crore was given to the Centre for Education Development of Minorities (CEDM). Rs 2.5 crore were assigned for Makkah Masjid and Shahi Masjid repair and upkeep, with Rs 62.5 lakh granted in each of two installments.
Out of the total second quarter budget of Rs 778.90 crore, Rs 194.88 crore has already been allocated, leaving Rs 389.14 crore to be disbursed. The Commissioner for Minority Welfare has been authorized by the GO to release the designated funds for these initiatives.
