The government has set a target of disbursing one lakh and 80 thousand crore rupees loan to the weaker and under-preveliged section of the society under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana for 2016-17.<br/><br/>Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stated this while addressing the 8th Annual Lecture of National Commission of Minorities on Economic Empowerment of Minorities in New Delhi today.He said the target is 50 per cent higher than that of 2015-16. <br/><br/>He said, those who have benefited from the scheme are mostly from the weaker section and minority community particularly the women.He said, so far, 2 crore entrepreneurs have availed loan through the scheme for starting their business. <br/><br/>He said, till 22nd of March this year, 38 lakh and 63 thousand accounts of minorites have been opened under MUDRA Yojana. <br/><br/>Mr Jaitley said, government is committed to advancing the cause of minorities and other disadvantaged groups. He said government's philosophy is to increase targeted assistance as well as to provide generalized opportunities so that all communities could avail benefit.<br/> <br/>Mr Jaitley also said, the government has increased the allocation by 25 per cent for various educational schemes for minorities during the current fiscal than 2014-15.<br/><br/>Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla also highlighted various programmes being implemented by the government for the welfare of minorities. <br/><br/>She said, her Ministry is emphasing on education, skill development and dispelling social alienation of minorities specially muslims.