Social Welfare Minister Ravela Kishore Babu has taken exception to Manda Krishna Madiga’s allegation that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has not been paying attention to the long pending demand for SC categorisation.
In the wake of dharnas and targeting of Telugu Desam offices by Madiga Rashtra Porata Samithi demanding SC categorisation, Mr Kishore Babu said it was Telugu Desam which had implemented SC categorisation to ensure benefits to all sub-castes equally for four years till the Apex Court struck down the legislation in 2004 on the grounds that SC categorisation could not be done without Constitutional amendment.
The Minister said the Telugu Desam government was committed to welfare of Madigas and all other downtrodden sub-castes who did not get their due in socio-economic, education and political fields.
The SC categorisation was under the consideration of the State government, he asserted.
Mr. Kishore Babu said after bifurcation, the demographic profile of SCs changed and it should be examined carefully, he added.
The Dalit Empowerment festival would be organised in February first week to highlight and create awareness about the welfare schemes being implemented for SCs and STs in the State and he would tour all the districts, he said.
