Congress hold protest demanding salaries for Urdu Academy staff

Hyderabad: Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Wednesday announced Congress party's support to 177 Employees of 43 Urdu Computer Centers and 31 Urdu libraries who are agitating for release of salaries. He also demanded that the Urdu Academy immediately clear electricity dues and pay rent for private buildings where these Centres are located.

Shabbir Ali, along with TPCC General Secretary Sk. Afzaluddin, TPCC Minorities Dept chairman Khaja Fakhruddin other Congress leaders, participated in dharna at Haj House in Nampally.

"The Urdu academy should take immediate steps to release the four months salaries. It should also modernize the centers by providing new computers, printers and internet connection. The services of employees should be regularised as it was done by the Andhra Pradesh Government one year ago," he said. He pointed out that the AP Government has increased salaries of Urdu Centres' staff, upgraded the centers and started new batches for training.

Shabbir Ali also alleged that the TRS Government was neglecting welfare of minorities by not releasing the allotted budget. "Present government is giving least priority to Urdu literature. Its negligence has resulted in nearly 10,000 youth losing opportunity in getting trained computer courses. At least six batches should have been imparted training during the last three years," he said.

The Congress leader demanded that the State Government should focus on educational development of minorities than concentrating on charity like Iftar party or distribution of clothes. He said that Finance Minister Etala Rajender has assured to call a meeting on the issue on Thursday.