New Delhi :

The Centre has asked states to ensure that members of Jain community do not face problems in obtaining documents certifying them as minorities.

Union minister for minority affairs Najma Heptullah has written to all chief ministers, asking them to sensitize authorities to issue minority certificates to Jains.

Heptullah said she had received a large number of representations that Jains were unable to avail the benefits for religious minorities because of the reluctance of revenue authorities and other designated officials to issue them minority certificates. The said certificate is the only acceptable proof of a member’s minority status.

Jains were notified as a minority community in January 2014, the latest to join the list comprising Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Parsis. The low level of awareness about the decision is seen as the reason for the hurdle in obtaining certificates.

Minority groups are eligible for various schemes run by the minority affairs ministry, like scholarships for all levels of school and university education, skill development besides loans to start businesses.

“I would request you to kindly direct the concerned authorities under your government to issue minority certificates to the Jains expeditiously, as and when they apply for the same, so that the Jains will also be in a position to avail the benefits arising therefrom, by virtue of their inclusion in the list of recognized minorities within the country,” the letter said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> India / TNN / February 21st, 2015