The representatives of all Opposition parties in Telangana have favoured a separate Sub-Plan for the backward classes on the lines of the SC and ST Sub-Plans.
The Opposition parties in Telangana have all favoured a separate Sub-Plan for the backward classes on the lines of the SC and ST Sub-Plans.
Addressing the "All-Party Round Table Meeting" at the Backward Classes Center for Empowerment in Himayat Nagar on Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Council Shabbir Ali said that the State government should introduce a BC Sub-Plan to ensure the focused development of BCs.
He pointed out that the previous Congress regime had introduced Sub-Plans for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. He said that the Congress party had also promised to introduce Sub-Plans for the BCs and the minorities in its manifesto for the 2014 elections.
Announcing his party's complete support to the movement for a BC Sub-Plan, Shabbir Ali said that the development of the Backward Classes would be possible only by ensuring total utilisation of the funds allocated for their welfare.
He pointed out that as against an allocation of Rs. 1,840 crores during 2014-15, only Rs. 1,309 crores were released, while the remaining Rs. 531 crores or nearly 30% of the budget had lapsed.
Similarly, this year, of Rs. 2,172 crores allocated, only Rs. 804.06 crores had been released.
He said that a BC Sub-Plan would ensure that the allocated funds did not lapse and were carried forward.
He also asked the State government to extend the Kalyana Lakshmi scheme to the BCs.
Shabbir Ali accused the State Government of completely neglecting the welfare of the BCs. He said that of 18 ministers in KCR's cabinet, 10 belonged to upper castes, while SCs, STs, BCs and minorities who constituted almost 90% of the total population were represented by just eight ministers.
He also expressed concern over the non-filling of posts and lack of funds in various corporations meant for BCs.
TDP Rajya Sabha MP T Devender Goud asked the State government to consider the backwardness of BCs as a social problem and take steps for their educational, social and economic empowerment.
BJP floor leader in Assembly Dr K Lakshman, too, said that the BC Sub-Plan was the only solution to take BCs on the path of development.
He said that the government was trying to satisfy the community by making budget allocations, but no steps were being taken to ensure the release and spending of the budgeted amounts.
CPI leader Chada Venkat Reddy, CPM Secretary T Veerabhadram, CPI MLA Ravinder, Prof Vishveshwar Rao, Prof Murali Mohan and other eminent personalities participated in the Round Table discussion.