Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has utilised the Indiramma Bata programme to make an effort to woo the minorities by projecting the ruling Congress as a minority-friendly party which had initiated several measures for their welfare.
Mr. Reddy devoted considerable amount of time on Tuesday during his tour to Ranga Reddy, to interact with a gathering of Muslims and Christians at Urdu Ghar here. Mr. Reddy who was in an expansive mood recounted several measures initiated by the Congress government in the State for the welfare of minorities.
The extra attention bestowed on minorities during Indiramma Bata programme was not lost on the participants of the meeting, as it came in the backdrop of its long-time ally Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) distancing itself from the Congress recently.
Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy reminded that that it was the Congress government that introduced reservations for Muslims and as a result 1,000 doctors, 30,000 engineers benefited and recently 60 persons from minorities cleared the Sub-Inspector exams. Minorities should take note of this, he said as the gathering applauded.
He said the Congress government had enhanced the budget for minority welfare from Rs.30 crore in 2004 to Rs.489 crore this year. The scholarship money for minority students was also increased from Rs. 2 crore per year in 2004 to Rs. 230 crore this year.
He took pride in recalling that it was his government which issued conduct certificates to all those falsely implicated in Mecca Masjid blast case in Hyderabad. Besides, compensation of about Rs. 1 crore was also paid to all the families as financial help.
Despite many such Government interventions, literacy rate among minorities, particularly among those in the old city was poor. Government was also sincere in promoting education among minority girls. “Government is doing its bit. But parents and community leaders should also promote education,” Mr. Reddy said. He reiterated that it was the Congress government, which had issued notification for 1.75 lakh government jobs in one year and of this already 60,000 posts were already filled up.
