Strict Action After Thorough Probe Into Minority Institution Status Certificates: Deputy CM Sunetra Ajit Pawar

Concrete Steps Needed for Holistic Development of Minority Communities

Mumbai, Feb 2026 : Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Minority Development Sunetra Ajit Pawar has directed that funds earmarked for minority communities be distributed equitably and transparently to every segment, and that the department’s functioning be made more people-centric and accountable to society. She also ordered a thorough investigation into cases where minority status certificates were allegedly issued to schools through improper means, and called for strict action against those found guilty.

The review meeting of the Minority Development Department was held at the Sahyadri State Guest House under the chairpersonship of Deputy CM Pawar. Senior officials present included Secretary Ruchesh Jayvanshi; the Deputy CM’s Secretary Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh; Joint Secretary Manoj Jadhav; Deputy Secretary M. P. Shenoy; and Under Secretaries Sarangkumar Patil, Jahangir Khan, Vishakha Adhav, and Meghna Shinde.

Deputy CM Pawar said the state government is committed to the social, economic, educational, and cultural upliftment of minority communities. The department’s work, she emphasized, should align with the vision and policy framework laid down by the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In line with the Sachar Committee recommendations, a separate Minority Development Department was established in the state on February 21, 2008. She instructed officials to ensure effective implementation of schemes such as educational scholarships, hostels, loan schemes of the Maulana Azad Minority Economic Development Corporation, direct loan and interest subsidy schemes of the Jain Economic Development Corporation, self-help groups, skill development initiatives, and infrastructure projects.

Noting that the education loan limit under the Maulana Azad Corporation has been increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹20 lakh, she stressed strict vigilance to ensure benefits reach genuine beneficiaries. She also said that under the Dr. Zakir Hussain Madrasa Modernisation Scheme, infrastructure grants have been enhanced from ₹2 lakh to ₹10 lakh, and directed that complete transparency be maintained while selecting eligible institutions.

She instructed that hostels being built for minority students be completed and made operational immediately. For development works in minority-concentrated areas, she said funds must be distributed proportionately and the quality of work maintained at a high standard. Urdu Bhavans in Nanded, Solapur, and Malegaon are operational, and she directed that construction of other proposed Urdu Bhavans be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

Highlighting that vacant posts are adversely affecting administrative functioning, she ordered immediate action to fill vacancies—96 of 179 sanctioned posts in the Waqf Board, 25 of 34 in the Waqf Tribunal, and 10 of 13 in the Haj Committee. She also spoke with the Divisional Commissioner of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar over the phone and issued necessary instructions. She further directed that the newly established Minority Commissionerate at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar be strengthened by providing the required officers and staff.

Referring to ‘MARTI’ (MRTI), established on the lines of BARTI and SARTHI, she instructed that its functioning be reviewed regularly and progress reports submitted. Considering unemployment among minority youth, she called for large-scale skill upgradation programmes to enhance employability, urging the department to take proactive steps. She also directed that all administrative processes related to the proposed ‘Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji 350th Shaheedi Samagam’ event at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, be completed expeditiously.