This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a parliamentary inquiry regarding benefits and protections for minorities. The Ministry of Minority Affairs, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1794, clarified the constitutional basis for protections afforded to minorities in India, citing Articles 15, 16, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 30(1A) and 30(2). The government emphasizes its commitment to inclusive development ("Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas"), noting the implementation of various schemes aimed at the welfare and upliftment of all communities, including the six centrally notified minority communities (Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Parsi, and Sikh), with a focus on economically weaker and less privileged sections. The government highlights the restructuring of some schemes to broaden their coverage and ensure universal eligibility. Furthermore, the summary details the government's use of monitoring mechanisms, including the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog, to assess the implementation and outcomes of these schemes. The Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF), overseen by DMEO, NITI Aayog, provides measurable indicators for evaluating scheme objectives. Individual Ministries/Departments also have in-built monitoring mechanisms for their respective schemes.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for matters related to minority communities.
SHRI S. VENKATESAN: Member of Parliament who raised the question in the Lok Sabha.
SHRI KIREN RIJIJU: The Minister of Minority Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
Sachar Committee: A high-level committee constituted by the Government of India to report on the social, economic, and educational status of the Muslim community in India.
Indian Constitution: The supreme law of India, which includes articles providing freedoms and protection against discrimination to all Indian citizens, including minorities.
Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas: A government policy aimed at inclusive growth and development for all sections of society.
NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India responsible for monitoring and evaluating various schemes and programs.
Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO): An office of NITI Aayog responsible for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of government schemes, programs, and initiatives.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1794
ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
BENEFIT FOR MINORITIES
1794. SHRI S. VENKATESAN:
SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that India is the only country where the minorities get more benefits and
protections than the majority community;
(b) if so, whether this statement is undermining both the purpose of the Government and the
need to instil confidence among the minorities;
(c) whether minorities are not entitled for special care in the background of reports like Sachar
Committee on their backwardness, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has conducted any study or has any data to make such assessment,
if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) to (d): Articles 15 (1) & (2), 16(1) & (2), 25(1), 26, 28 and 29(2) of Indian Constitution
provides freedoms & protection against discrimination to Indian citizens including
minorities. Articles 30(1), 30(1A) and 30(2) specifically covers the minorities. Under its
policy of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, the Government implemented various schemes for the
welfare and upliftment of every strata, including the six (6) centrally notified minority
communities viz. Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Parsi and Sikh, especially the
economically weaker and lesser privileged sections of the society.
The Government adopted a holistic approach to cover all eligible beneficiaries under the
schemes. Some of such schemes were also re-structured by extending their coverage and
scope to make them universal for all eligible beneficiaries. Under the saturation approach of
Government, many of the schemes/components have achieved mainstreaming.
To implement the ongoing schemes, the Government of India has now introduced various
monitoring mechanism/agencies such as Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office
(DMEO) of NITI Aayog for monitoring various schemes/programs. DMEO has been
mandated to actively monitor and evaluate the implementation of schemes, programs and
initiatives of the Government of India (GoI) to strengthen their implementation and scope of
delivery of services. The Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) entrusted to
DMEO, NITI Aayog, endeavours to provide measurable indicators for achievement of
scheme objectives, or the 'Outcomes'.
Further, participating Ministries/Departments have inbuilt monitoring mechanism in their
respective schemes and they are regularly monitoring the progress of their respective
schemes.
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