Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju today interacted with beneficiaries of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) during a special outreach programme held in South Goa. Addressing the gathering, Rijiju reaffirmed the Ministry of Minority Affairs’ commitment to the welfare and empowerment of minority communities through need-based, inclusive, and non-discriminatory schemes. He highlighted that NMDFC programmes are designed to promote skill development, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion, with a special focus on youth and women.

 

Referring to Goa’s economic profile, the Minister noted that the state enjoys a high per capita income, largely driven by tourism, hospitality, fishing, and earlier mining activities. However, he observed that funds allocated for minority welfare remain underutilized and stressed the need for more effective initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship among women and young people.

 

Rijiju also underscored India’s multicultural ethos and the importance of maintaining harmony among diverse religious communities. He called for collective efforts to combat misinformation and fake news in the age of social media. During the interaction, beneficiaries highlighted issues such as inadequate loan amounts for business expansion, difficulties in arranging guarantors, and cumbersome documentation procedures. Representatives from the fishing sector sought enhanced financial assistance, while organic business entrepreneurs requested easier access to credit. Assuring participants that their concerns would be considered for policy improvements, Rijiju also announced plans to organize events in Goa to support local artisans through funding opportunities and marketing platforms.