Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Rais Shaikh Seeks Minority Business Centres Across Maharashtra
Rais Shaikh wants Maharashtra to create business-support centres for young people from minority communities.
He suggested opening one in each of the state’s six revenue divisions.
These centres could teach business skills and provide mentors.
They could also help young people prepare business plans and find other resources.
Shaikh said poverty causes many Muslim students to leave school before finishing higher education.
He believes entrepreneurship can give these young people another path to earning a living.
He said existing training institutions help some communities, but a minority-focused institute is not yet working.
The proposed centres could help more than 1,000 young people in each division start small businesses every year.
Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh urged Maharashtra to establish Minority Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation Centres in all six revenue divisions.
He proposed training, mentorship and other support for minority youth starting micro and small businesses.
Shaikh cited poverty-related dropout rates among Muslim students and called for more skill development and entrepreneurship opportunities.
He said the Maharashtra Research and Training Institute, intended to serve minorities, is not yet operational because of inadequate funding.
The proposed centres could support more than 1,000 young people in each revenue division annually, with loan assistance from the Maulana Azad Minorities Financial Development Corporation.
- Who
- Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh proposed the initiative and addressed his letter to Deputy Chief Minister and Minority Development Minister Sunetra Pawar.
- What
- Shaikh urged the Maharashtra government to establish Minority Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation Centres.
- Where
- Across all six revenue divisions of Maharashtra.
- Why
- To provide minority youth with training, mentorship, financial guidance and opportunities to start micro and small businesses.
- Proposal
- Six Minority Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation Centres, one in each Maharashtra revenue division.
- Proponent
- Rais Shaikh, a Samajwadi Party MLA.
- Target group
- Young men and women from minority communities seeking to start micro and small businesses.
- Population figures cited
- Shaikh said minorities make up around 20% of Maharashtra’s population and Muslims account for 11.54%.
- Education figures cited
- He claimed a 30% dropout rate among Muslim students at the 10th and 12th standard levels and said about 10% reach higher education.
- Proposed annual reach
- More than 1,000 young people in each revenue division could establish businesses every year.
- Potential financial partner
- The Maulana Azad Minorities Financial Development Corporation could connect beneficiaries with loan schemes and financial assistance.