Uttam Promises Rs. 24,000 Cr Budget For Minorities Welfare

Hyderabad, Nov.27 (Maxim News): Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Congress-led People’s Front, if voted to power in the elections, would allocate a budget of Rs. 24,000 crore for the welfare of minorities through a Sub-Plan.

Speaking at a Meet the Press programme jointly organised by Telangana Urdu Working Journalist Federation (TUWJF) and Indian News Network (INN) here on Tuesday, Uttam Kumar Reddy spoke at length on various issues concerning Muslim community in Telangana and promised that the next government of People’s Front would take all measures for the welfare, security and prosperity of minorities in the State. He accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao of cheating the Muslim community on the promise of 12% quota. He said that the TRS Government had promised to grant judicial powers to Wakf Board. It also promised to take back encroached Wakf land within six months. “Not even four-and-a-half yards of encroached Wakf land has been resorted during the last four-and-a-half years,” he said.

The TPCC chief said that Urdu language remained in a state of neglect in the Telangana State. “KCR appointed Urdu Academy chairman on September 5, 2018, just one day before the Assembly was dissolved. Is it not a joke with Urdu speaking people.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the TRS Government did not utilise the funds allocated for minorities welfare. “Not even 50% of allocated funds were spent. As against the total allocations of Rs. 6,593 crore, the actual spending was just Rs. 3,114.41 Crore or 47.23%.

The TPCC Chief said that despite making confession on the floor of Assembly by the Chief Minister himself of shortage of staff in the Minorities Welfare Department, no steps were taken to fill those vacancies. Lakhs of students suffered due to non-release of Scholarships and Fee Reimbursement dues. He pointed out that of 153,906 applications received under loan-cum-subsidy scheme, only 14,544 were approved and only 8,000 were sanctioned. But none of the beneficiaries got any funds.

He said that the TRS Government did not implement any of the recommendations of Sudhir Commission which included appointment of an “Equal Opportunity Commission” (EOC) to oversee recruitment and training and other developmental programmes.
Other promises like filling up of Urdu teachers posts; Implementation of Urdu as second official language; Sub-Plan for Muslims; Collateral free business loans for small entrepreneurs; Scholarships for Muslim students; Recognition of Madarsa education by setting up a Madarsa Board; Extension of SETWIN to all districts; Allotment of 12% industrial plots to Muslims through TSIIC and 20% quota in Urban and 10% quota in Rural areas for Muslims in weaker section housing were not implemented.

Uttam Kumar Reddy slammed MIM President Asaduddin Owaisi for his silence on the failure of TRS Government on all fronts. Similarly, Uttam Kumar Reddy questioned the silence of TRS and MIM on the custodial death of poor Muslim rickshaw puller 28-year-old Sajid of Nagaram in Nizamabad. Sajid was allegedy tortured and killed in police custody at Town-I Police Station of Nizamabad on March 21, 2015.

The TPCC Chief said that the Congress party, if voted to power, would introduce a Sub-Plan for minorities wherein 12% of State budget would be allocated for their welfare. He also promised that all recommendations of Sachar Committee and Sudhir Commission would be implemented. He said Wakf Board would be given judicial powers and steps would be taken to tackle unemployment among minorities youth. He said Metro Rail in the Old City would become a reality after Congress comes to power.

When asked whether the Congress would seek MIM’s support, if required, to form the next government, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the People’s Front of Congress, TDP, TJS and CPI would get absolute majority and no outside support would be required. He said that the Congress party would win at least three seats in the Old City.(Maxim News)