Rule of Reservation : SC, ST welfare panel slams TTD for negligence

Tirupati: The SC, ST Welfare Committee comprising MLAs and MLCs condemned the TTD for neglecting the implementation of 'Rule of Reservation' both in administration and in SVBC TV channel. The committee headed by its chairman Labbi Venkata Swamy arrived at Tirupati on Tuesday and received petitions from the Dalit associations, local people and employees of various institutions. Later, it held a review meeting with the officials of TTD at Sri Padmavathi Guest House.

The committee found fault with the TTD for neglecting the implementation of Rule of Reservation during recruitment, appointments, promotions and regularisation. It also fingered the absence of TTD Executive Officer LV Subramanyam, administrative head of TTD and clarified to the officials of TTD to take to the notice of chief minister, governor, legislative assembly and to legislative council.

Speaking to media persons here after the review meeting with the TTD, MLC Jupudi Prabhakar Rao said that the absence of TTD's EO is not for the first time and it's a serious issue. The EO should have attended the meeting, but his absence raises several doubts like ignoring the SC, ST Welfare Committee, disrespect towards the committee and negligence towards SC, ST issues, he said.

If the absence of EO is intentional, this committee will call him to Hyderabad, he observed. There are several allegations against the TTD in the implementation of Rule of Reservation at several levels and as a government institution, it should do its job, because it is running with public funds, he said. The facts and figures tabled by the TTD officials are also proving the negligence of the TTD administration and nowhere it is respecting the spirit of Rule of Reservation, he pointed out.

"I have never seen such a neglect and peculiar officer. He should answer for his negligence," Jupudi said. He also said that the TTD is functioning with three IAS and one IPS officer and one officer should be from the SC/ST community and the same will be taken to the notice of the government, he added.

Committee chairman Labbi Venkataswamy criticised the TTD for negligence of implementation of Rule of Reservation in regularising the contract staff in SVBC. Whatever the appointment may be either on a contract basis or on outsourcing basis or on a regular basis, there should be Rule of Reservation, he added. Whatever the obstacles may be the spirit of GO 758 should be respected, he stressed.

If the TTD has any problems in the implementation of this GO, the officials should write to principal secretary of Endowments Department expressing their concerns, he suggested. He also told the officials of the TTD to pay attention on shopping stalls on Tirumala Hills and to make a booklet mentioning the activities of all wings in the TTD. He replied that this committee has received 78 petitions.

Legislators and MLCs Harish Rao, Hanumanthu Shinde, Mettu Govinda Reddy and few others were present at the review meeting with the TTD.