Muslims are majority in 6 Asom districts Minority package >From our Correspondent Sentinel Assam NEW DELHI, April 4: As per Government data that were used to identify districts with minority concentration in the country for Centrally-sponsored schemes and developmental programme, in six districts of Asom the Muslims are majority. The data, collected from the 2001 Census for identification of districts with minority concentrations, show that Dhubri has 75 per cent Muslim population, followed by Goalpara with 62 per cent, Barpeta 60 per cent, Hailakandi 59 per cent, Karimganj 53 per cent and Nagaon 52 per cent. After Uttar Pradesh, Asom has the second largest minority population in the country. The Centre has already announced that during the 11th Five-Year Plan, Rs Rs 3,780 crore will be spent for multi-sectoral development programme?in the districts of the country with minority concentration. The programme aims at improving the socio-economic parameters and basic amenities in districts with minority concentration to improve the quality of life of the people and reduce imbalances. Under this programme, Asom will get an amount of Rs 703.5 crore for the development of 13 districts that have sizeable minority population. This is the second largest amount for Muslims after Uttar Pradesh. The data also show that the Centre will provide Rs. 84.3 crore for Dhubri district for the development programme, while Barpeta will get Rs 73 crore and Nagoan will get Rs. 70.3 crore.
