NEW DELHI: An assessment of households lacking a toilet has been for the first time a deciding factor for identification of backward minority concentration areas under the flagship infrastructure development programme for these communities which was expanded from 196 districts to 308 in May by the Centre .

The programme is seen as an attempt to reduce the gap between the national average and the minority communities on backwardness parameters.

The government’s Multi Sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) revamped as Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) was rolled out by the ministry of minority affairs after Cabinet approval in May. Earlier the “basic need” parameters for identification of backward areas included pucca house, access to electricity and potable water. Under the revised scheme “latrine in house” was added.

The socio-economic parameters include literacy, work participation, female literacy and female work participation. The decision to include toilets as a ‘basic need’ parameter was in sync with the government’s commitment to Swachh Bharat Mission.

Officials explained that though the programme does not provide for the construction of toilets, it is not enough to just have a pucca house with electricity and water. “Toilet is a basic need and the lack of it is a measure of backwardness which needs to be taken into account to bring development,” the official explained.

With backward minority concentrations identified, the Centre is all set to take computerisation through smart classrooms to madrasas and schools to all 308 districts under the flagship scheme for development of socio-economic infrastructure facilities in the field of education, health and skill development.

State governments have started sending in proposals under the scheme. “The maximum demand is for schools and classrooms. This is the for the first time that the ministry is trying to provide computer and technological facilities for learning at a large scale,” a senior official said. Previously the ministry had provided computers as part of MsDP under the 11th Five Year Plan but it was at a very small scale. It is learnt that Karnataka has sought smart class infrastructure for about 500 schools.

The empowered committee of the ministry for screening of the projects met on Tuesday.

Under the scheme some of the projects that the states can apply for also include hostels in universities located in minority concentration areas, working women hostels, market sheds for rural artisans and farmers, Sadbhav mandaps for multiple social and skill development activities and ‘hunar hubs’ for showcasing the work of artisans.

“Under the scheme 80% of resources under the PMJVK are to be earmarked for projects related to education, health and skill development. Also anywhere between 33 to 40% of resources under the PMJVK would be specifically allocated for women centric projects,” minister for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

A fund of Rs 3,972 crore has been assigned to the programme from 2017 to 2020.

