Akbar asks TRS Govt to ensure minorities' welfare

Hyderabad, Nov 12 (INN): MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi on Wednesday demanded that the State Government take serious measures to ensure the overall development of minorities in the Telangana State.

Speaking on State's budget in the State Legislative Assembly, Akbaruddin Owaisi demanded a White Paper on the State's revenues and expenditure. He said there was no clarity on several issues including the steps being taken to resolve energy crisis.

He asked the government to take immediate measures to reduce the State's deficit. He said that the government should direct the Finance Department to released allocated funds towards the welfare of SC, ST, BC and minorities in the fourth quarter.

At this point, Panchayat Raj Minister K Tarakarama Rao intervened and said that the TRS Government will not go back on its words and will fulfill all the promises that it made with the people.

Akbaruddin Owaisi alleged that the TRS Government was emulating the previous regimes by planning to generate revenue through the sale of Wakf properties. He said steps should be taken for the protection and development of Wakf properties in Telangana.

He also demanded the introduction of Minorities' Sub-Plan on the lines of Sub-Plan for SCs and STs. The government should also ensure implementation of Prime Minister's New 15-Point Programme in the State.

The MIM leader pointed out that there were 2998 staff members in BC Welfare Department, 8589 in SC and 10,607 in ST Welfare Department. However, there were about 100 employees in the minorities' welfare department.

He demanded that the staff should be increased to ensure proper implementation of the schemes. He said that the bifurcation process in all 13 Departments of Minorities' Welfare should be completed at the earliest. Appointments should also be made for Minorities Commission, Urdu Academy, Haj Committee, State Minorities Finance Corporation and other bodies.

The MIM leader also sought amendments in rules for the NRIs who are treated as non-locals at the time of admission in professional colleges. Similarly, they are forced to pay higher fee compared to other students. He said no Muslim DEO has been appointed in the State since 1980s.

Speaking about the promise of giving 12% reservation to Muslims in jobs and education, he asked the government to ensure that the process does not affect the implementation of present 4% reservation. He urged the government to allocated 1,000 acres of land belonging to PWD for construction of new building for Anees-ul-Ghurba orphanage.

Akbaruddin Owaisi also demanded that centenary celebrations of Osmania University should be organised at a grand scale. Similarly, centenary celebrations of old Assembly building, presently assigned to Andhra Pradesh, should also be organised by holding a symbolic session. He asked for continuation and strengthening of Arogyasri scheme, 200 mini buses for Old City and Rs 10 crore for QQSUDA.

The MIM leader also proposed that the Telangana could become the first state to introduce Communal Violence (Prevention) Bill. He said that the previous UPA Regime has failed to introduce the Bill in the Parliament and therefore, the State Government can introduce its own bill for the State.

Reacting to this, Leader of the Opposition K Jana Reddy said that the Congress party would support the Bill if the State Government takes the initiative.