Gouds hail release of ex-gratia to toddy tapper families

Basheerbagh: Leaders of Goud associations' JAC hailed the release of funds towards ex-gratia for kin of those toddy tappers who died or disabled since the 2017. On Thursday, Goud leaders thanked Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Telangana Minister Srinivas Goud for releasing funds through a state government GO no 53. Goud leaders were speaking at a press meet held here at Basheerbagh.

Speaking on the occasion, president of Gouds Aikya Sadhana Samithi Ambala Narayana expressed his happiness over the release of Rs 10.09 crore for paying ex-gratia to the families of toddy tappers. Rs 5 lakh each would be given to the families of 76 toddy tappers who died; Rs 5 lakh each for families of 120 toddy tappers who were permanently disabled and Rs 10,000 to families of 293 tappers who were temporarily disabled, he said.

Narayana said that severe injustice was done to toddy tappers in the erstwhile united state. In the past, an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh was announced for deceased toddy tapper and Rs 50,000 for permanent disabled but even those amounts were kept in pending so far, he said.

After the formation of the new state, CM KCR had not only released pending dues of Rs 15 crore but also enhanced the amount, he said. Goud leaders expressed their gratitude to the CM KCR for protecting toddy tapper families. Goud JAC leaders Vijay Kumar Goud, Ashok Goud, Bikshapathi Goud, Rajaiah Goud and others participated in the press meet.