KCR announces major sops for minorities

Hyderabad, Jan 18 (INN): Stating that the minorities were subjected to discrimination and neglect by previous regimes, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has announced that his government would take all measures for the growth and development of minority communities in Telangana State.

Making a statement in State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, the Chief Minister listed out various schemes being implemented by the State Government for the welfare of minorities. He said that the government was firm on enhancing the Muslims quota in jobs and education to 12%. He said a resolution would be passed in the State Legislature in next budget session and the same would be forwarded to the Centre seeking required amendment in the Constitution. He said that the government would implement promised 12% Muslim reservation, which would be free from all legal complications. He said that legal and constitutional experts were being consulted to implement the Tamil Nadu and Kerela model of reservation in the State.

The Chief Minister also assured that his government would take all steps to protect ongoing 4% Muslim reservation.

The Chief Minister also claimed that it was on his recommendation that the UPA-1 government had constituted Justice Sachar Committee to study the socio-economic conditions of the Muslim community. On the same lines State Government constituted the Sudhir Commission which studied the living standards of the minorities in the State and submitted a report. The Report is sent to the BC Commission to make reservations based on the population figures. The BC Commission is seeking opinions from various sections and will submit its recommendations to the government.

'How much neglect the minorities have faced in the united AP can be gauged from the fact of 20 Annual State Budget allocations. In 1995-96 a mere Rs 1.20 Crore was allocated for the minorities. Due to discrimination shown to minorities, they were subjected to socio-political and economic backwardness and oppression over the years. This has resulted in these sections feeling insecure, lack of faith and anxiety,' the Chief Minister said adding that his government had allocated Rs. 1030 Crore in the first State Budget for the welfare and development of the minorities. The allocations were then hiked to Rs 1204 Crore the same year, he said.

Stating that the backwardness among minorities can be eradicated only through education, he said that the State Government has decided to set up Residential Schools exclusively for the minorities at a cost of Rs. 8,000 Crores in the State. During 2016-17 Academic year, 71 Minority residential Schools were started. Another 129 Schools will be started in the next academic year. With this, there will be 200 Residential Schools for the minorities in the State. Of them, 100 Residential Schools are for girls. 'No other State or government in this country has ever made such a step for the minorities. About 1,28,000 students (both girls and Boys) will get global level education in English Medium from these schools,' he said.

KCR said 463 students were given Rs. 10 lakh scholarship each besides providing their airfare under the Overseas Scholarships Scheme. This year, the scholarship amount has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 Lakh. 'We have given pre-matric scholarship to 89,000 minority students at a cost of Rs 35 Crore. On par with SC/ST/BC students, 1, 18,000 minority students studying from Intermediate to PG were given Post Metric scholarship to each one who have applied. Like SC/ST students, minorities' students were also given the fee reimbursement notwithstanding their ranks. We have paid Rs 219.43 Crore to 1,18,000 minority students during the academic year 2015-16,' he said.

The Chief Minister said to encourage minority entrepreneurs, TS PRIME, on the lines of TS PRIDE launched for the SC/ST entrepreneurs, is launched. A Special IT SEZ is also being launched in Hyderabad exclusively for the minority industrialists. He said 4,000 square yards of prime land at Nampally has been allocated to Anees-Ul-Gubba orphanage and a multi-storyed complex would be constructed on the area for the orphaned children.

The Chief Minister said that a Bill to grant judicial powers to Wakf Board would be introduced in next budget session. He also assured to constitute a Legislature Committee for restoration and development of Dargah Hussain Shah Wali wakf properties.

He said that the government would provide funds for 14 self-financing junior colleges. He also gave nod for an Islamic Centre, along with a mosque, on 10-12 acres of land and directed the officials to identify a suitable location. He said that the shifting of Malakpet Race Course and Chanchalguda Central Jail would be initiated soon. He also sanctioned Rs. 25 lakh for development works near Dargah Barhana Shah and Rs. 10 crore for Falaknuma Degree College.

The Chief Minister assured that all dues of Shaadi Mubarak schemes would be cleared by March 31. Similarly, the subsidy for bank-linked loan scheme for minorities would be released by the end of this financial year. He said the appointment of Urdu teachers would be done by overcoming all legal hurdles. He also assured to pursue with the Centre on having NEET exam in Urdu.