Appeasement politics? Telangana to replicate BC scheme, extend Rs 1 lakh aid to Muslims

After extending 1 lakh assistance to certain BC communities, the state government is now planning to replicate the scheme for the benefit of poor minorities. Finance Minister T Harish Rao on Thursday said that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in principle, okayed the proposal to extend 1 lakh to poor minorities.

 

 

He said orders in this regard are expected soon. “There is some good news for Muslims. The 1 lakh financial assistance will be announced soon,” the minister said.

 

The BC financial assistance scheme of 400 crore was announced a month ago mainly to help BC communities pursuing traditional occupations.As the scheme became a huge success with thousands of applications received for extending the scheme and also demands from minorities, the state government is contemplating implementing the scheme to minorities as well, sources said.

 

The minister, who took part in a meeting to felicitate minority corporations’ chairperson along with home minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali and other leaders at Jal Vihar, said KCR respects Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb inTelangana and also respects minorities. Minorities are given due share in political and other posts, he said.

 

 

 

“The state government has earmarked 2,200 crore in this year’s budget for welfare of minorities. Like Kalyana Lakshmi scheme for Hindus, Shaadi Mubarak scheme is being implemented for Muslims,” the minister said. He said Telangana is the only state where special minority residential welfare schools are being run by the government where Muslim girls are studying in huge numbers.

 

“The schools not only have English medium but also offer Urdu medium. KCR even urged the Centre to conduct all central examinations, including NEET, in Urdu medium for the benefit of Muslim minorities,” he said.