Give ration kits, cash to Muslims instead of iftar parties, say activists

● STATE GOVERNMENT had introduced a scheme to gift kurtas, pajamas, sarees and salwar kameez to around four lakh poor families.

Demand is mounting for utilisation of funds earmarked for Iftar parties and Ramzan gifts for distribution of provision to poor Muslim families before Id-ulFitr.

The state government had introduced a scheme to gift kurtas, pajamas, sarees and salwar kameez to around four lakh poor families. Likewise, more than 850 mosques receive `1 lakh for hosting Iftar. The government doubled its allocation for Iftar and Christmas from `33.09 crore to `66 crore and allocated `1.83 crore for the Iftar hosted by the Chief Minister in the current year’s Budget.

Because of the lockdown, the minorities welfare department could not procure clothes and dress material for distribution. It also abandoned the scheme of hosting Iftar parties at mosques as congregations are prohibited.

Considering the situation, social activists and community leaders have suggested that the government utilise the available funds for distribution of groceries and essential commodities to poor Muslim families.

Chairman of Sakina Foundation Mohammed Asif Hussain opined that special packages are needed as the lockdown has added to the misery of such families. Even the lower middle class section is adversely affected. Many of those employed in the unorganised and informal sector have been without earnings. The situation in the interiors is even worse, he said Asif Hussain said by being provided groceries and food kits, the poor can at least celebrate a joyful Id.

MIM floor leader in the Assembly, Akbaruddin Owaisi had addressed a letter to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao last month, urging him to distribute ration kits and cash doles to poor Muslim families in place of Iftar parties and distribution of clothes.