Telangana committed to welfare of poor: Balka Suman

Suman stated that the Chief Minister had conceived a slew of developmental programmes and schemes for eradicating the backwardness of weaker sections

Mancherial: Government Whip Balka Suman said on Sunday Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had come up with the Telangana Dalit Bandhu scheme, a first of its kind initiative in the country, for economic empowerment of Dalits in the State.

He was addressing a gathering after hoisting the tricolour flag and paying tributes to freedom fighters, as part of 75th Independence Day celebrated on a colorful note here on Sunday.

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Suman stated that the Chief Minister had conceived a slew of developmental programmes and schemes for eradicating the backwardness of weaker sections and inhuman discrimination and untouchability against Dalits. He cited Kaleshwaram project, Mission Bhagiratha, Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, etc., schemes aimed at the welfare of socially disadvantaged and downtrodden communities.

“The Dalit Bandhu scheme was introduced after holding debates over empowerment of Dalits in Telangana Legislative Assembly. No State has thought of such a novel initiative so far. Eligible families are provided with Rs 10 lakh without needing to link with a bank. Beneficiaries can choose a financial package, considering their interest, experience and expertise,” Suman narrated.

Those who do not know how to utilise the scheme would be given guidance and action-pan as well. Village, mandal, constituency and district-level committees are formed for operating the scheme and identifying the beneficiaries. A fund has been created for ensuring insurance to the beneficiaries if the head of a family dies. Matching grant of Rs 10,000 is being borne by the government, he explained.

The government whip readout progress of the district on various fronts, citing statistical information. He said that 84,872 persons were being covered under Aasara Pensions scheme. A total of 392 food processing units were identified to be created in the district. He stated that 14,762 farmers were provided with financial input support under the Rythu Bandhu scheme in the district.

MLC Puranam Satheesh Kumar, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Nallala Odelu, Bellampalli MLA Durgam Chinnaiah, Mancherial municipal chairperson Penta Rajaiah, Collector Bharati Hollikeri, Ramagundam Commissioner of Police S Chandrasekhar Reddy, Mancherial DCP D Uday Kumar, Additional Collector Ila Thripati, ACPs Akhil Mahajan and Narender and many other district authorities were present.