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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Derek O'Brien writes: 79 suggestions for the Union government on 79th I-Day
As India celebrates its 79th Independence Day, here are 79 suggestions for the Union government. Unemployment 1. Reduce unemployment. Eight out of 10 unemployed are youth. 2. Create jobs for the youth. Youth unemployment is over 15 per cent. 3. Introduce urban employment guarantee schemes. 4. Increase wages of rural workers— real average annual growth is just 0.2 per cent. 5. Increase the female Labour Force Participation Rate. Among youth, this is around half that of men. 6. Boost skill training. Only 4 per cent of the youth workforce have formal vocational training. Health 7. Remove 18 per cent GST on health and life insurance. 8. Increase spending on public healthcare, currently less than 2 per cent of GDP. 9. Strengthen AIIMS. Over 18,000 positions are vacant in AIIMS hospitals. 10. Provide free medical and psychological treatment for acid attack survivors. Education 11. Restart discontinued minority scholarship schemes like the Maulana Azad National Fellowship. 12. Stop partisan changes to NCERT textbooks 13. Provide quality education to ST kids. A third of Eklavya schools are non-functional. Children 14. Bring down student suicides. 15. Eradicate child labour. 16. Fight drug addiction among children. 1.5 crore children aged 10-17 are addicted. 17. Focus on child health. Two out of five children up to five years of age are stunted. 18. Bring down number of zero-food children. Three out of 10 infants aged between six and 11 months are classified as such. Gender 19. Pass stronger laws for time-bound resolution of cases of crime against women. 20. Amend the Women's Reservation Bill, delink it from the census and delimitation. 21. Harmonise punishment for sexual violence against transgender persons with penalties under the BNS for women. 22. Legalise same-sex marriage. 23. Criminalise marital rape. Federalism 24. Make cess and surcharge a part of the divisible pool, to be shared with states. 25. Resolve ongoing unrest in Manipur. 26. Stop using the ED as a political weapon. Its conviction rate is 0.25 per cent. 27. Stop Hindi imposition. 28. Give full statehood to J&K. 29. Stop squeezing non-BJP states for funds. Bengal alone is owed over Rs 15,000 crore under MGNREGA and PMAY-G. Policy 30. Admit demonetisation was a failure. 31. Roll back Agnipath and bring back permanent recruitment in the Armed Forces. 32. Introduce a framework to reduce financial frauds, which increased by 97 per cent between 2020 and 2024. 33. Introduce a national elder care policy with support services and pension. 34. Ensure a five-year cooling-off period before retired judges can take up any other constitutional post. 35. Increase the judiciary's strength. Over five crore cases are pending across courts. 36. Delink MGNREGS payment from Aadhaar, which makes over 28 per cent of MGNREGS workers ineligible. 37. Strengthen RTI and include institutions like PM CARES under its purview. 38. Improve data privacy. The DPDP rules have not been framed. More than 81 crore citizens' data was leaked in 2023. 39. Improve press freedom, in which India is ranked 161 out of 180. 40. Strengthen the Armed Forces. There are 1.09 lakh vacancies in paramilitary forces. 41. Strengthen banking access. One in five Jan Dhan accounts is inactive. 42. Increase PM Kisan funds to Rs 12,000 43. Stop manual scavenging. Between 2014 and 2023, 736 people died cleaning sewers and septic tanks. 44. Reduce plastic pollution. 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated each year. 45. Build dedicated legislation for AI. Do not wait to take the cue from other countries. 46. Withdraw the SIR exercise in Bihar. 47. Implement a national bail reform policy to reduce the undertrial population. 48. Conduct the census, due since 2021, in 2026 instead of 2027. 49. Standardise gig/contract worker rights, including social security. 50. Increase the wages of MGNREGS and ASHA workers. Economy 51. Reduce poverty. Four out of five people earn less than Rs 171 a day. 52. Improve GDP growth, which was at a four-year low in 2024-25. 53. Increase value added by manufacturing. Manufacturing GVA was at 4.5 per cent in FY 2025, lower than FY 2013. 54. Reduce agriculture household debt. The average outstanding loan per agricultural household is over Rs 74,000. 55. Strengthen MSMEs. Between 2020 and February 2025, over 75,000 MSMEs were shut down. 56. Boost industrial growth, which in June was at its lowest in 10 months. 57. Create high-value jobs. Forty-six per cent of the workforce is in agriculture. 58. Reduce household indebtedness. Household savings touched a 50-year low in 2022-23. 59. Reduce per capita external debt, which rose by 132 per cent in 2014-2025. Infrastructure 60. Develop air connectivity. Of 619 routes operationalised under UDAN, only half are currently operational. 61. Improve internet access. Over 21,200 villages don't have internet connections. 62. Expand expressways. Twenty-five per cent of Bharatmala project isn't yet awarded. 63. Boost railway safety. There are over one lakh vacancies in the railways. 64. Expand KAVACH. In four years, it was installed in just 2 per cent of rail routes. 65. Ensure road safety. About half of unnatural and untimely deaths are due to road accidents. 66. Improve infrastructure. Work for only eight per cent of Amrit Bharat stations has been completed. Parliament 67. Give more time to the Opposition. Seventy per cent is used by the government. 68. Appoint a deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha. The post has been vacant since 2019. 69. Have a fixed parliamentary calendar with a minimum 100 days of sittings. 70. Stop bulldozing bills. The 500-plus-page Income Tax Bill was passed in under five minutes in the Lok Sabha this week. 71. Stop mass suspension of MPs — 146 were suspended in one session in 2023. Bad Laws 72. Repeal CAA. 73. Ban anti-conversion laws. 74. Scrap sedition and the UAPA law, which has a conviction rate under 3 per cent. 75. Repeal the Waqf (Amendment) Act. 76. Criminalise marital rape. For the Prime Minister 77. Answer a question in Parliament. 78. Hold a press conference. 79. Visit Manipur The writer is MP and leader, All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party. Research credit: Ayashman Dey, Chahat Mangtani, Dheemunt Jain, Varnika Mishra
Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Pending payments of Maulana Azad Fellowship cleared, says ministry
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs on Thursday announced that payments pending for seven months under Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) 'have been released'. The fellowship for research scholars from minority communities was not disbursed since January this year. In December 2022, the scholarship was discontinued by the ministry but existing scholars were to be granted the fellowship till their term concluded. MANF is a five-year fellowship provided by the Centre in the form of financial assistance to six notified minority communities – Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs — to pursue M Phil and PhD. Announcing the release of the pending dues, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju posted on X: 'A small step that means a lot to so many. Under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, we remain committed to 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas'. Bhagidari se Bhagyoday is not a slogan, it's a mission.' Last week, Rijiju in an interview to The Indian Express had said complaints from scholars of delay in disbursement of funds are being reviewed. Scholars who were awaiting the funds for months welcomed the government's decision. 'It is good that funds have been released. The government should make sure there are no further delays and the funds are released every month,' Aazam Ali, a research scholar, told The Indian Express. Razia Khatoon, another recipient of MANF, said: 'We really hope we don't have to run anymore campaigns and there are no further delays. We should get our scholarship every month.' Khatoon also sought to know if 'the revised House Rent Allowance, already granted to UGC JRF-SRF scholars, be granted to MANF scholars'. It's been a collective demand of the MANF scholars for some time. Congress MP from Bihar Mohammad Jawed had recently written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman 'drawing her attention' to the delay in disbursement of funds. There are around 800 MANF scholars across India.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PhD scholars in Hyderabad face long wait for Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) stipend
HYDERABAD: For seven straight months now, multiple city-based PhD scholars from IIT Hyderabad, University of Hyderabad (UoH), and MANUU have not received their monthly stipends from the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF), disbursed by the Union ministry of minority affairs (MoMA). While the Centre had announced the discontinuation of the fellowship from the 2022-23 batch, it assured that existing scholars would continue receiving the amount until the end of their tenures. The MANF provides five-year fellowships as financial assistance to students from six notified minority communities - Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Parsi, and Sikh. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Pending stipends running into lakhs: Students Students have voiced concerns that their pending stipends of over seven months are now running into a few lakhs, leading to financial constraints. A PhD scholar from IIT Hyderabad, who receives Rs 37,000 a monthly, excluding HRA, said the delay has become a trend now as this is the sixth time it is happening in around three to four years. "I have to submit my semester fee of Rs 57,000, which is already higher than many other central universities. Moreover, the annual contingency amount of Rs 20,000 is also pending. I know of several scholars who even left the scholarship as they were married and their families are depended on them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo " Another PhD scholar from MANUU, whose lump sum amount of Rs 2.59 lakh is stalled, said she was forced to borrow over Rs 1 lakh due to the delay. "I have to pay monthly house rent and other miscellaneous expenses for which I had to borrow money. Moreover, I also have to take Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 from my family, and as a PhD scholar, it is embarrassing to ask them. Research fieldwork is also stalled due to the unpaid amount." Hyderabad: For seven straight months now, multiple city-based PhD scholars from IIT Hyderabad, University of Hyderabad (UoH), and MANUU have not received their monthly stipends from the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF), disbursed by the Union ministry of minority affairs (MoMA). While the Centre had announced the discontinuation of the fellowship from the 2022-23 batch, it assured that existing scholars would continue receiving the amount until the end of their tenures. The MANF provides five-year fellowships as financial assistance to students from six notified minority communities - Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Parsi, and Sikh. Pending stipends running into lakhs: Students Students have voiced concerns that their pending stipends of over seven months are now running into a few lakhs, leading to financial constraints. A PhD scholar from IIT Hyderabad, who receives Rs 37,000 a monthly, excluding HRA, said the delay has become a trend now as this is the sixth time it is happening in around three to four years. "I have to submit my semester fee of Rs 57,000, which is already higher than many other central universities. Moreover, the annual contingency amount of Rs 20,000 is also pending. I know of several scholars who even left the scholarship as they were married and their families are depended on them. " Another PhD scholar from MANUU, whose lump sum amount of Rs 2.59 lakh is stalled, said she was forced to borrow over Rs 1 lakh due to the delay. "I have to pay monthly house rent and other miscellaneous expenses for which I had to borrow money. Moreover, I also have to take Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 from my family, and as a PhD scholar, it is embarrassing to ask them. Research fieldwork is also stalled due to the unpaid amount."
Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kiren Rijiju: ‘Minorities receive more govt support … Whatever Hindus get, minorities also do. But what minorities get, Hindus don't'
With the Narendra Modi government having completed 11 years in power, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju discusses the performance of his ministry, the schemes and budgetary allocations, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, and the delay in disbursement of funds under the Maulana Azad National Fellowship. Excerpts: In the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has championed the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas'. Following this principle, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has adopted the mantra of 'bhagidari se bhagyodaya (participation to good fortune)' to a result-oriented and empowerment-driven framework focused on education, skilling, entrepreneurship, and inclusion. The approach has ensured that minority communities are active and equal participants in India's growth story. The main point we have to understand is that minority communities are receiving more funds and support from the government than the majority community, the Hindus. Whatever the Hindus get, the minorities also do. But what the minorities get, the Hindus don't. Some of our key schemes include the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), under which a total of 5.63 lakh infrastructure units were approved across sectors such as health, education, sanitation, and renewable energy in the last 11 years. We have also used geo-tagging and digital integration for the scheme, and 2.35 lakh units (51%) have been geo-tagged. Rs 10,749.65 crore has been spent on the scheme in the last 11 years. From 2023, the PMJVK is on a fully digital platform. The overall disbursement of scholarships has increased by 172% in the last 10 years, and the number of women beneficiaries has increased by 182%. The ministry's flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS), has performed remarkably well. Over 9.25 lakh individuals were trained and empowered in the last 11 years. We have also undertaken the promotion of artisans and cultural heritage and have organised the 'Lok Samvardhan Parv' to showcase and support minority artisans. From zero-structured placements in 2014, we have moved to over 10 lakh skilled and placed individuals, particularly focusing on youth and educated women. The Hajj programme has also seen a transformation over the last decade. This year, for the first time, minimal health-related cases and deaths were reported from Saudi Arabia. It is a big achievement for the ministry. India's Haj quota has also increased from 1.36 lakh in 2014 to 1.75 lakh in 2025. The Ladies Without Mehram (LWM) category was introduced in Haj 2018 and expanded: 4,558 women performed Haj under the LWM category in 2024. The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, and the operationalisation of the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Act, 1995, mark a historic reform bringing in transparency, better management and governance of Waqf properties in India. These steps are not just legal or administrative measures. Rather, they represent the Modi government's deep and sincere commitment to ensuring transparency, justice, and empowerment for the Muslim community, particularly the poor, women, and the marginalised. The ministry launched the UMEED Central Portal on June 6 as a statutory platform mandated for use by all Waqf Boards across the country. It will streamline the registration process of auqaf and automate the full lifecycle of a waqf, starting from registration. Contrary to what some may claim, the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, underwent one of the most inclusive and rigorous consultative processes in recent legislative history. A Joint Committee of Parliament held 38 meetings, spread over 113 hours, to discuss the legislation. The committee engaged with 184 stakeholders, including 49 key Muslim organisations and five minority commissions. It received over 97 lakh representations via email and thoroughly considered relevant suggestions and concerns. This proves that the government values dialogue, participation and consensus, especially when it comes to sensitive matters of community interest. The objective of this reform is not to centralise or control Waqf assets, but to digitally empower Waqf Boards with better tools for management and protection, stop illegal encroachments and misuse of waqf land through transparent mapping and ensure that the revenue generated from waqf properties is used efficiently as envisioned by waqf donors. The real beneficiaries of this reform will be ordinary Muslims. That is not cut down. The whole concept of funding has changed. Now, the Central government provides 60% and 40% has to be contributed by the state government. In the case of hill states and the Northeast, it is 90:10. Whatever support the Union government is giving, there is a rationalisation; earlier, whatever support was given was based on need, as a gap needed to be filled. Subsequently, whatever the demand is, that much will go. It is not that the budget is cut. The requirement is to be met by budgetary allocation. So, theoretically, you may see a budget cut, but it is not. It is as per the requirement. This is an overhaul of the entire scheme. I have also received the complaints. We are reviewing it. You have to understand the whole thing. There is a scholarship for minorities, and then there is a scholarship for SCs and STs. Three or four years ago, there was a huge bundling of funds. In the minority institutions, thousands of fake names were submitted and money was taken in the name of scholarships. Then, cases were registered in different states. The case is in its final stages. Because of that, there are certain rational approaches which are being done. Second, we have to ensure there is no duplication. Suppose one is a tribal, they can't take the scholarship for minorities. Then, there are STs who are Christians and SCs who are professing Islam … That means you have to rationalise it. There were lakhs of cases where some agencies misused provisions in the name of students. Things are in better shape and they will be alright.
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
JNU students, MANF scholars approach Minority Affairs Ministry, seek ‘release' of pending monthly dues
NEW DELHI Amid 'delays' in the disbursement of Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) funds, several students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) and two MANF research scholars from minority communities submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Minority Affairs on Monday, demanding the 'immediate release of pending dues'. 'It has come to our attention that most MANF scholars have not received their fellowship amounts since January 2025 and in many cases, since November 2024. Many scholars depend entirely on this fellowship fund to support their expenses, including room rent, food and essential academic needs,' the memorandum stated. 'Vague assurance' JNUSU president Nitish Kumar told The Hindu, 'We [JNUSU members], along with two MANF scholars, met officials and submitted our memorandum. However, we received vague answers and were told that the issue would be looked into.' When reached for comment, the Minority Affairs Ministry did not respond. The memorandum added that 'prolonged delays' have pushed many students into financial hardship, mental distress, and severely impacted their academic work. 'Borrowing money' A Buddhist scholar currently in his fifth year of PhD at JNU said on the condition of anonymity, 'I have not received my funding for eight months now. It is difficult to stay in Delhi, and I cannot go back to my home town in the Northeast at the moment.' The scholar, who is supposed to receive ₹42,000 per month, has been borrowing money to make ends meet. 'The fellowship had been discontinued in 2022. But the government has ensured that no existing scholars will be impacted. We have not received any information regarding the delays,' the scholar added. The memorandum also urged officials to 'uphold the promise of inclusive access to higher education for students from minority communities'.
