19 percent hike in allocation for minorities

New Delhi, July 10 (IANS) A total of Rs.3,734 crore (Rs.37.34 billion) was Thursday allocated to the minorities affairs ministry, 19 percent more than the revised estimate for last year.

The ministry was allotted Rs.3,511 crore (Rs.35.11 billion) in the 2013-14 budget. It was later revised to Rs.3,130 crore (Rs.31.3 billion).

In his budget speech, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also announced upgrading a programme for training to enhance skills in traditional ancestral arts for minorities.

"An 'Upgradation of Traditional Skills in Arts, Resources and Goods' programme would be launched for enhancing skills and training in ancestral arts for development of minorities," he said.