Telangana fulfilling Ambedkar’s dreams: Gangula

Successive governments in undivided Andhra Pradesh had only used dalits as vote bank and did not take any step for the uplift of the community, he said.

Karimnagar: BC Welfare and Civil Supplies Minister Gangula Kamalakar on Monday said that the dreams of Dr B R Ambedkar, who always struggled for the uplift of dalits and other weaker sections, are being fulfilled in Telangana State.

The Minister was speaking after participating in a Ksheerabishekam programme organised by Dalit organisations following Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s decision to implement Telangana Dalit Bandhu scheme in Huzurabad on a pilot basis. Successive governments in undivided Andhra Pradesh had only used dalits as vote bank and did not take any step for the uplift of the community, he said.

“Chandrashekhar Rao, however, is giving top priority to dalits and decided to launch Telangana Dalit Bandhu scheme for the economic empowerment of the community. Under the scheme, Rs 10 lakh would be deposited in the bank accounts of eligible dalits on the lines of Rythu Bandhu,” he said, adding that the scheme was aimed at ensuring the financial growth of dalits and should not be viewed from a political angle.

Stating that Rythu Bandhu, launched in Huzurabad, had met with success, he said Dalit Bandhu too would be successful and bring brightness in the lives of dalits.

The Chief Minister has special affection for Karimangar, which played a vital role in the Statehood movement. “Right from 2001 when Simhagarjana was held, everything started from Karimnagar. After coming to power in the new State, Chandrashekahar Rao launched a number of welfare schemes from erstwhile Karimangar district,” he said.

While Rythu Bandhu was launched in Huzurabad, Rythu Bima was announced in Karimangar. Now, Huzurabad has been selected for implementation of Dalit Bandhu on pilot basis, he said.

Enthused with Chief Minister’s decision, various dalit organisations were making celebrations across the erstwhile Karimnagar district, Minister said.