Minister for Roads and Buildings Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu has said architect of the Constitution B. R. Ambedkar was the first leader in the country to fight against discrimination and for an egalitarian society.
Participating as a chief guest at a programme organised by the Social Welfare Department to mark the 126th birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar at Dr. YVS Murthy Auditorium of AU College of Engineering here on Friday, the Minister recalled that the ‘two-glass’ (one for dalits and the other for other castes) practice was prevalent in the rural areas and he had witnessed it during his student days. He underlined the importance of education to fight against oppression.
He recalled that the SC/ST Sub Plan funds were diverted for construction of the ring road in Hyderabad in the past but now Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was insisting on spending of the Sub Plan funds exclusively for the welfare of the SC and STs. During the last two years, funds sanctioned under the Sub Plan were utilised for laying CC roads in SC and ST colonies.
He recalled that former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao had set up Residential Schools during the 1980s and these schools had produced thousands of doctors, engineers and IAS officers from the marginalised sections over the years.
Mr. Ayyanna Patrudu said it was unfortunate that many beneficiaries were taking loans for the subsidy instead of utilising it in a proper manner for their own economic development by taking up self-employment.
He distributed prizes to students, who participated in various competitions conducted as part of celebrations.. Sirisha, a girl from an interior tribal village of Nathavaram mandal came in for special appreciation from the Minister. Her project, which had made it to the National Science Fair, has now been selected for the International Science Fair to be held in Japan.
MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, Zilla Parishad chairperson Lalam Bhavani, Collector Pravin Kumar, GVMC Commissioner M. Harinarayanan and Joint Collector G. Srijana were present.
