“Khidmat” to Empower Minorities through Information: K. Rahman Khan
Platform for up to Date Information in Easy Language through Dialogue
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| K. Rahman Khan, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs launched a dedicated Toll Free Helpline- 1800 11 2001 with brand name “Khidmat”, here today in presence of Shri Ninong Ering, Minister of State, Ministry of Minority Affairs and Shri Charles Dais, Member Parliament. Dedicating “Khidmat” helpline to the minority people of India, the Minister expressed hope to fulfill the dream of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi for inclusive growth of all sections, particularly deprived sections of Society. Speaking on the occasion Shri K. Rahman Khan said that the service will empower minorities through up to date information. With helpline being operational, initially, it will remain open from 9:00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on all working days he, added. Depending on success and demand, the Ministry may go even for 24X7 helpline with upgraded facilities. In the changing India, when phone services and mobiles have reached every nook and corner, the dedicated helpline would be a better idea to spread information about development and welfare programmes and related complaints. The right information in time is the power, the Ministry through “Khidmat” helpline endeavours to hand over power to the minority people of all levels equally, the Minister added. This helpline would not only help in inclusive growth of minorities but will also increase transparency and efficiency in governance. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has got the mandate to ensure a focused approach towards issues relating to the notified minorities and to facilitate the formulation of overall policy, planning, coordination, evaluation and review of the regulatory framework and development programmes for the benefit of the minority communities. To fulfill the mandate for minorities, the Ministry formulated and implemented many development and welfare schemes for infrastructure development, educational empowerment, economic empowerment, women empowerment and Wakf development. During the course of implementation of various programmes and schemes, in addition to field level bottlenecks, Ministry experienced that lack of information about the programmes/schemes among target population is one of the most important bottlenecks. Though for last few years, Ministry regularly launched multi-media campaign through print, electronic and new media, yet due to limited shelf life of such mediums the reach of the programmes could not be maximized. The Ministry came up with this dedicated Toll Free Helpline as it felt that the target population requires a platform where they can get up to date information in easy language through dialogue and where their most of the queries may be satisfied. It was also felt that people either do not have access to information available on website or find it difficult and tedious to surf the information on website. Ministry understands that without adequate information about Ministry’s programmes among minorities, it would be very difficult for the Ministry to achieve its goals and mission. |
With launch of this helpline, a student sitting in a village or remote area can get instant information at his or her leisure about scholarship schemes. An unemployed minority youth can get instant information about skill development training programmes run by Ministry and employment opportunities.
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