Committed to BC welfare: AP CM

​Visakhapatnam: The TDP government will take the responsibility of protecting the welfare of those belonging to the Backward Classes by ensuring their socio, economic and political development. Since the Day-1 of the formation of the TDP, the BCs have been patronising it wholeheartedly and standing as backbone of the party, Naidu said.

In reciprocation to their gesture, the TDP government had been focusing on uplift of the BCs and thus, of the total 26 ministerial berths in the recently expanded Cabinet, eight berths were given to the BCs. Besides the Vice-Chancellor of AU is also from BCs and that is an initiative of the TDP, the Chief Minister pointed out.

Addressing a large gathering at a meeting organised officially here on Tuesday to mark the 191st brith anniversary celebrations of social reformer Jyothirao Phule, the Chief Minister said still there were many people eking out their livelihood through traditional professions and they were facing difficulty in facing the competition in market.

The government, he said will not only revive all traditional professions and crafts but also give equal importance to providing educational facilities to the wards of artisans.

“Paying rich tributes to Jyothirao Phule, he said even after 191 years, we are all remembering him as he had worked for poorer sections, fought against caste discrimination and encouraged women education. Thus NTR too was the lone personality in the country who had worked for BC welfare,” he mentioned.

“On the lines of SC, ST Sub-Plan, the government has also created BC Sub-Plan with Rs 10,000-crore budget for 2017-18 fiscal, first of its kind in the country. A separate welfare corporation has been set up for all the 32 most backward classes in the State. All BC hostels will be converted as residential schools,” he added.

Chandrababu Naidu informed that after giving a serious thought on how to encourage educated BC candidates, the government has introduced NTR Unnata Vidyadarana Scheme for providing special coaching facility for all competitive exams including Groups and All India Services.

He said they have recently set up federations by respecting each and every caste to look after their welfare adding that as he had faith and trust on Minister Atchannaidu and the BC welfare portfolio was also entrusted to him.

‘The TDP government is pro-poor and it would provide number of opportunities to improve skills and help generate income resources. BC Welfare Minister Atchannaidu will remain in your hearts forever if he works for the welfare of BCs’, he explained.

Transport and BC Welfare Minister K Atchannaidu said though both State and Central governments have been spending lakhs of rupees on BC welfare, it was not yielding the expected results. He said that he would convene district-wise meetings soon to chalk out an integrated action plan. Referring to allegations that existing BC castes would be affected if Kapus were included in BCs, he assured that no injustice would be caused to the BCs..

Road and Buildings Minister Ch Ayyanna Patrudu appealed to the Chief Minister to take the initiative of providing BC Bhavan and own building for BC Study Circle as presently, the two are housed in rented buildings.

Chairman of AP Legislative Council Chakrapani praised the TDP Government for its commitment towards poorer sections.

Minister for Information and Public Relations K Srinivasulu, ZP Chairperson Lalam Bhavani, MLAs Velagapudi, Palla Srinivasa Rao, V Geetha, K Sarveswara Rao, MLCs Dr M V V S Murthi, P Chalapathi Rao, P V N Madhav and Collector Pravin Kumar were among those attended the programme.