Mumbai : Union Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptulla reviewed the implementation of welfare programmes for minorities by states and Union territories of Western India here on Friday. Issues like disbursement of scholarships, utilisation of funds released, enabling minorities to access collateral free soft loans and development of their skills according to the demands of the market, were discussed.

States raised the issue of protection of Wakf Board lands from encroachments, a release said. Gujarat officials highlighted that they would repay the overdue of NMDFC very soon to make soft loans available to minorities.