TRS Government Harassing Muslim Officials: Congress

Telangana Congress spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin accused the TRS government of harassing Muslim officials and staff working in the Minorities Welfare Department.

Nizamuddin alleged that the Muslim officials were either going on long leaves or seeking transfer to other departments due to the harassment. He quoted the example of Wakf Board CEO Mohammed Asadullah going on a long leave due to alleged pressure by the Wakf mafia which enjoyed the political patronage of TRS and MIM leaders. Instead of supporting the senior official, the TRS government was indirectly supporting the anti-social elements who were intimidating him and the officials and staff of the Minorities Welfare Department, he said.

Nizamuddin also condemned Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali for rebuking senior IAS officer and MWD Secretary Syed Omer Jaleel for appointing an incharge-CEO for the Wakf Board.

"The Deputy CM did not even realise that Omer Jaleel was authorised to appoint an incharge-CEO. Instead, Mahmood Ali tried to insult Omer Jaleel in a public event only because he (Jaleel) did not consult him before making the appointment," he said.

He said that such behaviour towards senior officials clearly showed the lack of interest of the TRS government in the Minorities Welfare Department.

"The TRS government did not spend even 50% of the amount allocated in the budgets for 2014-15 and 2015-16 to minority welfare. This year, too, the spending is largely inadequate. The major reason cited for not spending the allocated amount was inadequate staff in the Minority Welfare Department. Instead of filling up the vacant posts, however, the government is trying to drive existing officials away from the MWD," he alleged.

Nizamuddin also expressed his concerns over Professor Shukoor being assigned the additional responsibility of Wakf Board CEO.

"Professor Shukoor is already holding five major posts. He is a Professor and the HOD of the Urdu department in Nizam College, Director of the Centre For Educational Development Of Minorities, Secretary and Director of the AP State Urdu Academy, General Secretary of the Idara-e-Adabiyat-e-Urdu, and Special Officer of the State Haj Committee. It is wrong on the part of the government to burden a lecturer with six major responsibilities. It should appoint more senior officials instead," he said.

Nizamuddin warned of protests if the TRS ministers and leaders did not stop harassing Muslim officials. He also demanded that the State government initiate the process to fill all vacancies in the Minorities Welfare Department immediately.