KCR stresses on progress of SCs, STs

Hyderabad, Jan 27 (INN): Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has expressed his agony that despite several programmes, schemes and plans for the SC/STs since independence, there is still poverty among these communities.

SC/STs are still living under dire poverty conditions in the society and the government has a responsibility to work for their upliftment. The Chief Minister gave a call that cutting across the political differences, there is a need to prepare a comprehensive plan for the welfare of the SCs and STs and everyone should help in implementing the same in true letter and spirit. The Telangana state, which is achieved after a struggle, is moving in the right direction and has registered the highest development rate in the country. This growth result should be used to eradicate poverty in the state and this should be our aim, the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister had a luncheon meeting with the SC/ST MPs, MLAs and MLCs at Pragathi Bhavan here on Friday. A total of 38 SC/ST representatives attended the meeting. They include Deputy CM Kadiam Srihari, Ministers Ajmera Chandulal, Jagadeeshwar Reddy, Chief Advisor to the State Rajiv Sharma, Advisor GR Reddy, Chief Secretary SP Singh, legislators Rasamayi Balkishan, Pidamarthi Ravi, Nallala Odelu, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Dr. J Geetha Reddy, Nandi Yellaiah, Sandra Venkata Veeraiah, S. Niranjan Reddy, Prashanth Reddy, Balka Suman. Sitaram Naik, Pasunuri Dayakar, Nagaiah and Sunnam Rajaiah.

'My commitment is that there should be a cent per cent qualitative change in SC/STs. If we have the will, there will be a change for the better in these communities. Getting SC/ST Sub Plan is a good augury and the new state of Telangana is formed later. Forget about the past and let bygone be bygone. Instead of criticism and counter criticism, we have to find out what is the need and the government exactly should do. Let us strengthen the existing Act. Let us work with commitment and dedication. There should be transparency and we are committed to the cause. Let us bring in development in these communities by working with dedication, then only as people's representatives and officials we will derive satisfaction,' the Chief Minister explained.

'We have to think about the plans for these communities living in Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural areas. The living standards of the SC/STs living in these three areas are different. Hence there is a need to plan for each of this category separately,' the CM said.

KCR advised that there should be a study on what to do for the different age groups among these communities? 'What are we going to plan for the aged, youth and students? Strategies should be formed for the age group of 10-25 years, 25-50 and 50-75 years. By imparting a quality education to the future generations there would be a better life. For this purpose we are starting Residential Schools. Degree residential colleges are also planned. Besides starting Residential Institutions for the SC/ST women, hostel facilities should be made available to the women pursing other courses in the cities.' The CM said.

'Distribution of land for the SC/ST is in vogue for several years but yet there is no cultivation among the assigned lands. They have not become sources of income. Assigned lands should be brought into cultivation. The Public Representatives should turn their attention to what land is assigned in the village to whom? Whether it is under cultivation, if not what should be done to make it cultivable? Let us form a Committee with the SC/ST Public Representatives. The Committee should meet frequently and visit the field areas. They have to decide on what should be done for the SC/STs. The decisions taken by the Committee whose members from all the political parties will be implemented by the government,' the CM assured.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government was implementing the scheme of giving 3 acres to Dalit family with good intentions and it was a continuous process. 'We thought that atleast 3 acres per family will make them stable financially. Besides providing the land, we are ensuring power supply, water and other facilities. Similarly, the land given in past should also become cultivable. Consolidation of lands should be done forthwith. Since water for irrigation will be abundant following the completion of irrigation projects and Mission Kakatiya, agriculture would be better and viable,' the CM said.

'The Centre has issued guidelines for the preparation of the State's Budget. Instead of Planning and Non Planning expenditure Heads, the centre made it mandatory to have Revenue and Capital head of accounts. The guidelines issued by the Centre are to be followed. Hence there is a need for some changes in the SC/ST Sub Plan. In the entire Budget, funds to the SC/STs should be allocated based on their population figures. We have to spend more than their population percentage. The SC/ST Committee should prepare a policy for the allocation of funds and expenditure. Eradication of poverty among the SC/ST should be out motto,' the CM observed.