Telangana Congress leaders have demanded that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao induct a Scheduled Tribes leader into his cabinet in order to pay real tributes to martyr Komaram Bheem.
Addressing the media at Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday, TPCC vice-president and Deputy CLP leader in the Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir, former Union minister P Balram Naik and TPCC ST Department Chairman Jagan Naik said they wrote to the Chief Minister asking him to induct an ST into his cabinet immediately. They also welcomed the KCR Government’s decision to observe death anniversary of legendary tribal leader Komaram Bheem as a State function.
“It is heartening to note that the government has promised to accord top priority to Komaram Bheem by laying a foundation stone for his memorial on October 8. We also welcome the decision to transform Jode Ghat, the birthplace of the great warrior in Adilabad district, into a tourist destination. The decisions to name a district and tribal university after Komaram Bheem, celebrate World Tribals Festival and other related announcements are also welcome,” they added. However, Shabbir Ali expressed regret that the STs, who constitute nearly 14% of the population in Telangana, were not given any representation in the first cabinet of new State of Telangana. “This is gross injustice against the Tribals and an insult to the followers of martyr Komaram Bheem. It would be appropriate if a Tribal minister leads the official function on the death anniversary of Komaram Bheem. This is will be a real tribute to the great leader,” he said.
Shabbir Ali also demanded that the government fulfill its promise of giving 12% reservation to STs in government jobs and education. He said the STs have already lost one academic year of 2014-15 due to delay in getting 12% reservation. “Even after clearing the proposal in the State Cabinet, no practical steps have been taken to implement the promise even after 125 days after formation of your government,” they stated in their letter to KCR.
Balram Naik demanded that the government also fulfill other promises made with regard to the STs, including giving three acres of land to each tribal family. He said the land should be transferable and should be clear from all legal tangles. He also demanded that the Tribal Welfare Ministry should be given only to an ST to ensure justice and better understanding of the subject. He objected to KCR holding the Tribal welfare portfolio with him for long.
Alleging that the STs were being completely ignored by the KCR government, Jagan Naik said KCR should induct an ST into his ministry immediately to alienate the sense of denial and dejection among the Tribals. Shabbir Ali informed that TPCC vice-president and MLA Redya Naik was also a signatory to the letter sent to the Chief Minister today. (NSS)