Dalits Remain Poor Despite Welfare Schemes: KCR

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao pointed out that despite launching several welfare schemes for SCs and STs since country's independence, they were still living under bone-crushing poverty, and it was incumbent upon the State and Central governments to work towards their upliftment.

The Chief Minister was speaking during a meeting with the SC/ST MPs, MLAs and MLCs at Pragathi Bhavan on Friday. Stressing the need to prepare a comprehensive plan for the welfare of the minority communities, he called upon all political leaders to strive to meet the goal.

"Everyone, regardless of political affiliation, must help in implementing the same in letter and spirit. Telangana, which was achieved after a prolonged struggle, is moving in the right direction and has registered the second highest growth rate in the nation. This shall be used to eradicate poverty in the State and this should be our goal," he added.

KCR claimed that he was committed to effect cent per cent qualitative change in the living standards of SCs and STs. The success in getting SC/ST sub-plan was a good augury, he opined.

"We are committed to the cause of the upliftment of SCs and STs. Let us bring development to these communities by working with dedication. We have to think about the plans for members of these communities living in urban, semi-urban and rural areas. Their living standards are different and have different needs. Hence, the plan for each of the category must be separate," the CM said, adding that strategies must be formed age-wise for the 10-25, 25-50 and 50-75 years groups.

He also emphasised on the need for quality education to promote better living standards.

"We will now launch the 'three-acre lands to each Dalit family' scheme to make them stable financially. Besides providing the lands, we are also ensuring power supply, water supply, and other amenities. Consolidation of lands should be done forthwith. Since water for irrigation will be abundant following the completion of irrigation projects and also Mission Kakatiya, the agriculture sector would benefit, proving a boon to backward communities and farmers," the CM said.