A dedicated toll-free helpline with the brand name Khidmat was launched here on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, K. Rahman Khan, said the service would empower minorities by providing up-to-date information on programmes and schemes.
Initially, the helpline will remain open from 9:00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on all working days, he added. Depending on success and demand, the Ministry may go even for 24X7 helpline with upgraded facilities, he added.
The helpline will provide information about development and welfare programmes and related complaints, Khan said. Ninong Ering, Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Charles Dais, Member Parliament were also present on the occasion.
The helpline was launched as it was found that apart from field-level bottlenecks, there was lack of information about the programmes and schemes among the target population.