Prime Minister rejected claims that the Sachar panel recommendations were ignored. Dr. Manmohan Singh said the government had launched several minority welfare schemes based on the suggestions and the same were showing good results.

Addressing a function of Dalits and Minorities International Forum in New Delhi on Thursday, he said that the government had launched several schemes acting on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee and the same initiatives were bringing about a change in the situation of minorities. He added that there has been an increase in the recruitment of minorities in government jobs, security forces and banking services, he said loans for such communities in priority sector has also risen from nine per cent to 15 per cent in the past four years.

The Prime Minister listed out a number of schemes launched by his government for the welfare of minorities and weaker sections. Lauding entrepreneurs from the SC/ST communities, Dr. Singh said the government has decided to give primacy to them in procurements made by the State. He also asked those present to highlight the achievements and successes of the weaker sections in various fields which would inspire the new generation to contribute to development of the nation.

Recently, the Prime Minister said the government had announced a 3884 crore rupees loan waiver scheme for the handloom sector which employs a large number of weavers from the minority and scheduled caste community. Besides, he said the government has also announced a separate package for handloom weavers in the 12th five year plan.

The Prime Minister said the government has also made a provision of 4.5 per cent sub-quota for minorities within the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs. He listed the annual 40 lakh scholarships for students from minority communities and the multi-sectoral development programme for 90 minority-concentration districts as the two key initiatives of the UPA government.