Report of the Working Group on Empowering the Minorities for the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007)

Abstract

This report examines strategies for empowering minority communities in India during the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002-2007), focusing on educational, economic, and social upliftment. Prepared by a Working Group under the Planning Commission and chaired by Prof. Mushirul Hasan, the study highlights the socio-economic challenges faced by minorities, who constitute approximately 17% of India’s population. Key issues include high poverty rates, low female work participation, and inadequate access to education and healthcare. The report recommends a multi-faceted approach for empowerment. In education, strategies include universal primary education, modernization of Madrasas, and expansion of minority schools. Economic interventions emphasize skill development, promotion of artisanal crafts, and micro-financing through Self-Help Groups, particularly targeting minority women. Social inclusion initiatives advocate for strengthened NGO participation, community engagement, and systematic data collection for monitoring policy effectiveness. The memorandum outlines the structure and functioning of the Working Group, its sub-groups on education, economy, and social/cultural development, and emphasizes inter-sectoral convergence for policy implementation. Financial requirements for proposed initiatives are estimated at approximately ₹167,861 lakh. The report concludes that effective empowerment of minorities requires coordinated efforts from central and state governments, civil society, and minority communities, aiming to reduce socio-economic disparities and integrate minorities into India’s broader developmental framework.