10% quota sought for Girijans

Basheerbagh: The 'Girijana Praja Vedika'(Girijan People's Forum) on Monday demanded 10 per cent reservations for Girijans, based on their population numbers.

Putting forth the demand, while addressing a meeting on 'Problems facing Girijans' organised in coordi nation with the Girijana Vidyarthi Samakya, Vedika national president Shankar Naik called for immediate cessation of uranium excavation being carried out by the Centre. He wanted the newly formed gram panchayats in girijan thandas to be recognised as revenue units by setting up boards for their development.

Naik also demanded halting of attacks by the forest department personnel on Podu lands cultivated by girijans and they should be given land rights. He appealed to the government to provide quota in promotions for girijans and sanction of Asara pensions for elderly, three acres land to each family, 2 BHK houses etc. He demanded implementation of the promises made in the TRS manifesto of 2014 elections, while warning of an agitation if the government failed to act.

Among those present at the meeting were Samakya State president Dinesh Naik, Samakya Employees' Association president Panugothu Daku Naik, general secretary Nagendra Naik, Sardar Naik, Vidyarthi Samakya's Greater Hyderabad unit president Venkatesh Naik.