The Centre has said there is a dedicated ministry executing schemes for the benefit of minorities. New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday defended before the Delhi High Court its decision to dissolve Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF), saying its continued operation was “obsolete” when there is a dedicated ministry holistically executing schemes for the benefit of the minorities. The central government, while responding to a petition challenging an order instructing MAEF, which provides assistance to students belonging to educationally backward minorities and institutions engaged in promoting education among them, to close down, said the foundation was established at a time when there was no Ministry of Minority Affairs. It said there cannot be a perpetual monopoly over promotion of the minorities when the authorities concerned have taken a decision to dissolve the foundation as per law. “Currently, a specialised ministry exists, equipped with adequate staff which has been effectively executing a range of initiatives tailored to meet the needs of the minority communities in a thorough and holistic manner. Given this context, the continued operation …