Medical Education Minister Kondru Murali Mohan on Thursday asked the other states in the country to emulate Andhra Pradesh government in taking up welfare measures for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Talking to media persons after paying tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar on his birth anniversary at Gandhi Bhavan, the minister claimed that Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a model state after passing the SC/ST Sub-Plan Bill. Describing the Act as the first of its kind in the entire country, he said that other states should bring similar legislations to ensure the sustained and focused development of SCs and STs.
Murali Mohan said that it was former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who brought legislations in 1975 and 1979 for the welfare of SCs and STs. The same policy was continued by her son Rajiv Gandhi during his rule as the Prime Minister. He said that presently Sonia Gandhi was spearheading the drive for the empowerment of SCs and STs in the country, and the state government was able to bring about the new legislation due to her support. He reiterated that the SC/ST Sub-Plan Bill would ensure educational and economic development of the communities. (INN)