Firm On 12% ST Reservation In Telangana: KCR

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao announced that a committee would be constituted soon to study the implementation of the promise of giving 12% reservation to the Scheduled Tribes in Telangana.

The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for the construction of the Banjara, Adivasi and Babu Jagjeevan Ram Bhavans at Road No. 10, Banjara Hills, on Thursday.

He said that the Adivasi Bhavan would be named after freedom fighter Kommaram Bheem who had sacrificed his life fighting for 'Jal, Jameen, Jungle' during the Nizam's regime.

He informed that Rs 2.5 crores had been sanctioned for each of the three Bhavans which were being constructed on one acre of land each.

KCR dismissed the fears being expressed by the Opposition Parties over his government's commitment to providing 12% reservation for STs. He said that the STs currently constitute 9.9% of the total population in the State, and their percentage would rise to 12% if the demand by some more castes for inclusion into the STs was accepted.

He said that a committee would be constituted to look into all these aspects.

The Chief Minister also announced that 207 tribal tandas would be given road connections under the Chandulal Maharaj Road Project. He also announced Rs 10 lakhs each for 9 of the 10 districts in Telangana for the Chandulal Maharaj Jayanthi celebrations.

He also said that steps were being taken to provide better medicare in tribal areas. He said that several tribals were not accepting regular treatment due to superstitions, and that they would be convinced through proper awareness. He said that a group of nearly 500 persons would be formed to create awareness among the tribals in the State.

Addressing the meeting, TRS MLC Ramulu Naik praised the Chief Minister for his initiatives for the welfare of STs, and said that KCR would be remembered not as "Chandrashekar Rao" but as "Chandrashekar Naik" by the tribals.

Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Finance Minister Etala Rajender, Khairatabad MLA Chintala Ramchandra Reddy, and other ministers, MPs, MLAs and MLCs of different political parties also participated in the ceremony. (INN)