CM K Chandrasekhr Rao has expressed his anguish that despite making special 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 every one 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. Deputy CM Sri Kadiam Srihari, Ministers Sri AjmeraChandulal, Jagadeeshwar Reddy, Chief Advisor to the State, Sri Rajiv Sharma, Advisor Sri GR Reddy, Chief Secretary Sri SP Singh, Rasamayi Balkishan, Sri Pidamarthi Ravi, Sri Nallala Odelu, Sri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Dr J Geethareddy, Sri Nandi Yellaiah, Sri Sandra Venkata Veeraiah, Sri S Niranjan Reddy, Sri Prashanth Reddy, Sri Balka Suman. Sri Sitaram Naik, Sri Pasunuri Dayakar, Sri Nagaiah, Sri Sunnam Rajaiah and others attended.In total 38 SC/ST Representatives have attended.
“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 is different. Hence there is a need to plan for each of this category separately,’ the CM said.
“Let us 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 residentials 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.
“We are implementing 3 acres to Dalit family with good thought and intentions. This is 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.
