Development of Dalits is first step towards eradication of inequalities: KCR

The Chief Minister said the entire Dalit community was suffering not only from poverty but also from social discrimination for generations together.

Hyderabad: The development of Dalits through Telangana Dalit Bandhu is a first step towards eradication of financial and social inequalities in the country, said Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. Stating that supporting the weaker sections was the main responsibility of the civilised society and basic duty of the democratic governments, he said the true patriotism is to strive for the upliftment of the downtrodden Dalit community.

“I humbly request people of State that Telangana Dalit Bandhu is a movement aimed to empower the downtrodden sections of Dalits and free them from social discrimination. It was designed based on the ideas of Mahatma Jyothi Rao Phule and Dr BR Ambedkar, to bring a new light into the lives of Dalits,” he said.

---

Addressing the people of Telangana from the Golconda Fort after hoisting the national flag marking the 75th Independence Day celebrations here on Sunday, the Chief Minister said the entire Dalit community was suffering not only from poverty but also from social discrimination for generations together. He stated that the government had allocated funds for implementing the Dalit Empowerment programme in the State budget this year and the scheme will be implemented in Huzurabad constituency on pilot basis commencing from Monday. The scheme will be implemented partially in other constituencies in the State simultaneously.

Chandrashekhar Rao pointed out that since the formation of Telangana State, the State government strived hard for the development of downtrodden sections. The government increased the number of educational institutions to provide the Dalits with better access to education. Seperate laws were enacted for effective implementation of the SC and ST Sub-Plans by transferring the unspent funds of a financial year to the next financial year. The government will continue to provide rice, pensions and other facilities through ration card. “The Telangana government is progressing with the combination of purity of speech, integrity and purpose. The State will create more wonders and scale new heights in future, in its efforts for people’s welfare and development,” he added.

Telangana’s progress

Chandrashekhar Rao said Telangana has come a long way since its formation, with the State Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing from Rs 4.51 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 9.8 lakh crore in 2020-21. Similarly, the per capita income in the state has increased from Rs 1.12 lakh in 2013-14 to Rs 2.37 lakh in 2020-21 which is more than the national per capita income. “We were able to unleash development qualitatively and quantitatively in all the sectors. People are enjoying the fruits of progress. We resolved permanently the power crisis, drinking water problem and irrigation problems, making Telangana an ideal State in the country in these sectors,” he said.

Unprecedented growth in Agricultural Sector

The TRS government took up agriculture as a priority sector considering the discrimination of the Andhra rulers in undivided Andhra Pradesh. As a result, the State achieved an yield of 3.4 crore tonnes of all agricultural produce putting it on the top of charts among other States in the country. It has surpassed Punjab in terms of paddy production and emerged as the ‘Rice Bowl of India’. To ensure remunerative price for crops produced by farmers, the government is taking steps to establish rice mills and other food processing industries across the State.

As per the electoral promise, the Chief Minister stated that the government has already waived the crop loan up to Rs 25,000 benefiting three lakh farmers. From Monday onwards, crop loans up to Rs 50,000 are being waived benefiting six lakh farmers in the State before end of August. The remaining farmers also will receive the loan waiver benefits in a phased manner. With the advent of the Dharani portal, he said majority of land disputes could be prevented and transparency was brought for a better land administration policy.

Welfare

Chandrashekhar Rao announced that the State government which has been implementing several welfare and development programmes for the people in the State, would soon launch Nethannaku Bima scheme on the lines of Rythu Bima and provide Rs 5 lakh insurance cover for the weavers depending on textile industry in the State. A special corpus fund also will be created to support the handloom sector. He assured that the Dignity Housing project aimed to provide double bedroom houses to the poor, will be implemented till it reaches the last beneficiary. Further, the government had already initiated the process of sanctioning three lakh new ration cards which will be issued soon.

Medical and Health

The Chief Minister said the Covid-19 pandemic is under control in the State and the government is fully prepared to deal with any untoward situation in case of a third wave as was being warned by experts. However, he urged people to be extra cautious and vigilant as well as strictly follow the Covid protocol as a precautionary measure.

He said the government which had significantly improved its medical and health infrastructure to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, has equipped about 17,114 of 27,996 beds in the government Covid health centres with oxygen facility. The remaining beds too will be converted to beds with oxygen supply soon. Besides operating dialysis centres, the government had launched diagnostic centres for conducting more than 50 tests at free of cost for the benefit of the poor.

For the first time in the country, the government will soon roll out ‘rural clinics’ on the lines of Basthi Dawakhanas in urban areas and bring healthcare closer to the people. Efforts have been expedited to prepare Telangana State Citizens Digital Health Profile which is being implemented on a pilot basis in Mulugu and Sircilla Assembly constituencies.

“Only five government medical colleges were established in Telangana State in 60 years of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh’s history. But we have sanctioned four new medical colleges commencing from this academic year and will commence operation of eight more medical colleges from next academic year. Construction of these buildings is going on brisk pace,” Chandrashekhar Rao said. He said the government was setting up five multi-super specialty hospitals christened as ‘Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS)’ for extending the best medical services to the poor in the State. While four TIMS are being established in Hyderabad, one will be constructed in Warangal. Two more mutli-speciality hospitals are being set up in Ramagundam of Singareni area and Patancheru industrial belt respectively.

Vacancies in Government departments

The Chief Minister informed that the Telangana government has started filling up the vacancies in various departments. With the Presidential Orders approved for amendment of existing laws, the government will be now able to fulfill its promise of providing 95 per cent jobs to the locals. The recruitments will be taken up as per the new zonal system after completing the division of employees and posts which is under progress.

Ramappa and Yadadri

“It is really a proud moment to all of us that UNESCO recognised Ramappa temple, an icon of grandeur of the Kakatiyas as World Heritage Site. Once again, I congratulate all the people’s representatives and officials for their efforts in achieving this rare recognition for the first time in both Telugu States,” he said.

Chandrashekhar Rao said the State government was making endeavours to restore the historical status and spirtual prominence of Telangana from the past under self-rule, and reconstruction of Yadadri temple was an effort in this direction. He said famous personalities who visited temple opined that the Yadadri construction as magnificent and will find a place in the annals of history. The temple will be reopened for the public at the earliest, providing them a spiritual bliss.

Extending the Independence Day greetings to the people of Telangana State, the Chief Minister termed the Plantinum Jubilee celebrations of Indian Independence as a unique event in history of the nation. He paid tributes to the great leaders who sacrificed their lives for freedom of the country and stated that it was time to evaluate achievements of the past 75 years and plans for future. He pointed out that though the country had achieved great success in many sectors, it was also in a pitiable situation where people were struggling for basic amenities in many States. He urged the people of India to rededicate themselves for building the future of the country with more commitment, honesty, harmony and equality.

Also read:

All set for Dalit Bandhu launch in Huzurabad

‘Dalit Bandhu’ takes centre stage in Telangana politics

---

Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.

Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .

---