Congress demands enhancement of minorities' quota in 2BHK Scheme

Hyderabad: The Congress party on Saturday raised serious doubts over the completion of double bedroom houses under Weaker Section Housing scheme of TRS Government. However, it demanded that the State Government increase the quota for minorities in proportion to their population in each district.

Led by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Minorities Department Chairman Shaik Abdullah Sohail, a delegation of senior Congress leaders including TPCC Official Spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin, Hyderabad City Minorities Dept chairman Sameer Waliullah and others, went to the office of Housing Corporation Managing Director Chitra Ramchandran since several days to submit a representation. However, on being denied appointment, they submitted the representation copy in her office.

Speaking to media persons later, Abdullah Sohail said that the State Government has so far sanctioned 2,80,616 double bedroom houses in 31 districts. Of them, only 16,370 units have been reportedly complete. He said that the Congress leaders wanted to meet the Chief Secretary, Housing Corporation Chairman or Principal Secretary to get the actual status of 2BHK construction in the State. However, he said by denying an appointment, the officials have given a clear message that there was nothing for them to explain as the construction of 2BHK units has been stopped for want of funds.

Abdullah Sohail informed that the State Government had issued G.O. MS. No. 10 on October 15, 2015, reserving 7% of 2BHK for minorities in rural areas while the percentage was 12% in Urban areas. He said these guidelines interim as the data pertaining to SC/ST/Minorities population in each Assembly constituency was not provided. Further, he said these guidelines were prepared when Telangana had only 10 districts. "A lot of geographical changes have taken place due to the creation of new districts. From 10 districts in 2015, today we have 33 districts. This re-organisation has completely changed the district-wise caste/religious composition and the reservation percentage cannot be uniform in all districts of Telangana. Therefore, the State Government should modify the guidelines with regard to reservation percentage," he said.

Further, Abdullah Sohail said that Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has the largest concentration of the Muslims and whereas Khammam has the lowest population of the Muslims. Similarly, the largest concentration of the Christians is in Hyderabad and their least population is in Adilabad district. Therefore, a uniform reservation policy could not be adopted for all districts. As per 2011 Census, Muslims constitute over 40% of the total population in Hyderabad. The Sikhs and Jains to have a sizeable population in urban areas. Therefore, the caste-composition in allotment of 2BHK units in Hyderabad and also in Ranga Reddy, Medchal and Sanga Reddy falling under GHMC limits need immediate revision, he said.

The Congress leader said that a provision was already made in the GO which says, "The percentages indicated are minimum and can exceed to the extent required wherever such a scenario arises." Therefore, he demanded that the State Government should increase the percentage of reservation for minorities, especially in the GHMC limits.

Citing an observation of Sudhir Commission, Sohail said that nearly 43% of Muslims in urban areas were living in rented houses. "Sudhir Commission had recommended a proper mechanism to monitor this situation and also recommended increasing the reservations to 20% in urban areas 10 % in rural areas."

Therefore, the Congress leader said that the State Government should take necessary measures to revise the reservation percentage for minorities in allotment of 2BHK units. Ideally, he said that the reservation percentage should in proportion to the population of minorities in each district and Assembly constituency (if this data is available with the government agencies). Else, the recommendation of Sudhir Committee of increasing the reservation for Muslim minorities to 20% in urban areas and 10% in rural areas should be implemented, he demanded.

TPCC Secretary Sajid Shareef, Ranga Reddy District Minorities Dept Chairman Mohammed Riyaz and other leaders were also present.