Pay real tributes to Komaram Bheem: T-Congress

Hyderabad, Oct 4 (INN): The Telangana Congress leaders have demanded that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao induct a minister into his cabinet from the Scheduled Tribes in order to pay real tributes to martyr Komaram Bheem.

Addressing a joint press conference at Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday, TPCC Vice-President Mohammed Ali Shabbir, former union minister P Balram Naik and TPCC ST Department Chairman Jagan Naik informed that they have written a letter to the Chief Minister asking him to induct a ST Minister on immediate basis. They welcomed the State Government's decision to observe the death anniversary of famous tribal leader Komaram Bheem as the State function.

"It is heartening to note that the government has promised to accord top priority to Komaram Bheem by laying a foundation stone for his memorial on October 8. We also welcome the decision to transform Jode Ghat, the birth place of the great warrior in Adilabad district, into a tourist destination.

The decisions to name a district and tribal university after Komaram Bheem, celebrate World Tribals Festival and other related announcements are also welcome," they said.

However, Shabbir Ali expressed regret that the STs, who constitute nearly 14% of the population in Telangana, were not given any representation in the first cabinet of new State of Telangana.

"This is gross injustice against the Tribals and an insult to the followers of martyr Komaram Bheem. It would be appropriate if a Tribal minister leads the official function on the death anniversary of Komaram Bheem. This is will be a real tribute to the great leader," he said.

Shabbir Ali also demanded that the government fulfill its promise of giving 12% reservation to STs in government jobs and education. He said that the STs have already lost one academic year of 2014-15 due to delay in getting 12% reservation.

"Even after clearing the proposal in the State Cabinet, no practical steps have been taken to implement the promise even after 125 days after formation of your government," they said in their letter to KCR.

Balram Naik demanded that the government also fulfill other promises made with the STs including giving three acres of land to each tribal family. He said that the land should be transferrable and should be clear from all legal tangles. He also demanded that the Tribal Welfare ministry should be given only to a ST to ensure justice and better understanding of the subject. He objected to KCR holding the portfolio with him for long.

Alleging that the STs were being completely ignored by the government, Jagan Naik said that KCR should induct a ST Minister on immediate basis to alienate the sense of denial and rejection among the Tribals.

Shabbir Ali informed that TPCC Vice-President and MLA Redya Naik was also a signatory to the letter sent to the Chief Minister today.