The state government, in collaboration with the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences (CSSS), has prepared a multi-sectoral development plan for 12 districts of the state, where the living condition of Muslims is deplorable. Under the first phase, development works were to be carried out in Murshidabad, Malda, Birbhum and Burdwan.
On July 30, Principal Secretary of State Minority Affairs Department Pawan Agarwal met joint secretary of the Union Minority Affairs Ministry Aneising Luikham in New Delhi. He requested Luikham to release at least half the money to begin work under the multi-sectoral plan, but he had to return empty-handed.
Minister of State for Minority Affairs Abdus Sattar refused to comment on the issue. Following the CPM’s debacle in the recently-held panchayat and municipal polls, the party has attributed it to Muslim community’s displeasure with the state government’s policy. The Marxists are now trying to woo the community back to its fold.