After madrasas, Maha govt to provide grants to Vedic and Warkari schools

The Maharashtra government is likely to give its approval to a proposal to give madrasa-like grants for Vedic and Warkari schools. This decision is likely because the government is keen to appease the minority groups that run these institutions. The Warkari schools are run by the Bhakti sect, one of the most influential religious minorities in Maharashtra and the state government can’t be seen to ignore them in the run-up to crucial Lok Sabha elections in 2014. [caption id=“attachment_1107015” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  This image of a madrasa in Hyderabad has been used for representational purposes only. AFP[/caption] A report in the Mumbai edition of The Hindustan Times, said that this decision comes on the heels of Maharashtra government’s Rs 10-crore grant to 200 madrasas last week. This grant will be given to the 200 madrasas that are registered with the state charity commissioner. Under this scheme a one-time grant will be given to the madrasas for renovation and building libraries. In addition to this, a scholarship of 5000 rupees will be given to 600 students in these madrasas. This suggestion came up after ministers Patangrao Kadam and Jaidutta Khirsagar discussed the issue in Wednesday’s Maharashtra cabinet meeting. However, it will take some time for the government to roll out this decision because there isn’t enough data on the number of Warkari or Vedic schools in the state.