TRS Govt firm on 12% ST reservation: KCR

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has announced that a committee would be constituted soon to study the implementation of promise of giving 12 per cent reservation to the Scheduled Tribes in the Telangana State.

The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for the construction of Banjara, Adivasi and Babu Jagjeevan Ram Bhavans at Road No 10, Banjara Hills, here on Thursday. He said that the Adivasi Bhavan would be named after freedom fighter Kommaram Bheem who sacrificed his life fighting for 'Jal, Jameen, Jungle' against the Nizam's regime. He informed that Rs 2.5 crore have been sanctioned for each of the three Bhavans which are being constructed on one acre of land each.

Kcr dismissed the fears being expressed by the opposition parties over his government's commitment in providing 12 per cent reservation of STs. He said that the STs presently constitute about 9.9 per cent of the total population in the State and their percentage would rise to 12 per cent if the demand by some more castes for inclusion in the STs is accepted. He said that a committee would be constituted to look into all these aspects.

The Chief Minister also announced that 207 Tribal tandas would be given road connection under Chandulal Maharaj Road Project. Further, he announced Rs 10 lakh each for nine out of 10 districts in Telangana for Chandulal Maharaj Jayanthi celebrations. He also said that steps were being taken to provide better medicare in tribal areas. He said a group of nearly 500 persons would be formed to create awareness among Tribals in the State. He said several Tribals were not accepted regular treatment due to superstitions and they would be convinced through proper awareness.

Addressing the meeting, TRS MLC Ramulu Naik praised the Chief Minister for his initiatives for the welfare of STs and said that Kcr would be remembered not as "Chandrashekar Rao" but as "Chandrashekar Naik" by the Tribals.

Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Finance Minister Etala Rajender, Khairtabad MLA Chintala Ramchandra Reddy and other ministers, MPs, MLAs and MLCs of different political parties also participated in the ceremony.