Telangana minorities slam TGMFC for failing to introduce welfare schemes

TGMFC has come under fire from the minority community for failing to introduce welfare schemes despite a substantial budget allocated to the Minorities Welfare department.

Hyderabad: The Telangana Minorities Finance Corporation (TGMFC) has come under fire from the minority community for failing to introduce welfare schemes despite a substantial budget allocated to the Minorities Welfare department.

Community leaders and social activists allege the corporation has failed to perform since the new government was formed 17 months ago. “Minority welfare has been totally neglected. Except the Indiramma Mahila Scheme through which free sewing machines were given to women, no other scheme was introduced or benefits extended to community,” said Kareem Ansari, an RTI and social activist.

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The State government has allocated Rs 3,591 crore for the minorities welfare department for the financial year 2025-26. In the last fiscal, Rs 3,003 crore was allocated.

Under the minority welfare department, eight minority organisations are working, including the Telangana Minorities Finance Corporation, Telangana Haj Committee, Telangana Urdu Academy, Telangana State Minorities Commission and others. The Finance Corporation gets a handsome budget every year.

“The budget released to the corporation is unspent and returned to the government. Two lakh odd women applied for a sewing machine in Telangana and only 10,000 of them were given the sewing machine. Several schemes meant for minorities’ welfare were scrapped or not being implemented, some schemes were announced but there is no follow up or awaiting administrative sanctions for months,” complained minority leader and social activist, Ilyas Shamshi.

The TGMFC in January announced that it would extend Rs 50,000 financial assistance to destitute women, widows, divorcees, and single parents. So far, there is no word from the government about it.

“The corporation should introduce the schemes only after conducting a field survey. Reintroducing schemes introduced during the Congress rule 12 years ago will not help the community,” said Azam Malik, a local leader from Kishanbagh.

Meanwhile, Telangana State Minorities Finance Corporation (TSMFC) chairman, Obaidullah Kotwal, said the State government has started several initiatives for welfare of minorities.

“The schemes are being grounded one after the other. So far, we have successfully distributed 10,000 sewing machines to women and 30,000 more will be distributed shortly. The administrative sanction of Rs 50,000 financial assistance to destitute women is accorded and soon the applications will be sought from deserving women,” Obaidullah Kotwal said.

He said that under the Rajiv Yuva Vikasham scheme, 45,000 minority youth will benefit. “A budget of Rs 850 crore was allotted to minorities under the Rajiv Yuva Vikasham scheme,” he said, adding that 2,20,000 applications were received.