Four months after its reconstitution, the Telangana State Minorities Commission (TSMC) awaits a full-fledged working space.
The eight-member minorities panel, led by chairman Mohammed Qamaruddin, a retired engineer-in-chief of the Social Welfare Department, is unable to function fully. The lack of space has led to fewer petitions reaching the commission. What’s more, TSMC meetings are being convened at the houses of members, including that of the chairman.
“Convening meetings is becoming difficult. At times, we meet at a temporary office in Erramanzil. It is a government residential quarters, but the office is too small. If you put together four tables, the office is congested and working becomes next to impossible. As a stop-gap arrangement, sometimes we are meeting in our homes,” a TSMC member, who did not wish to be identified, said.
Sources said that while an office space was allotted to the commission in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board (HMWSSB) building, the decision was reversed.
The TSMC chairman confirmed that a permanent allotment is yet to be made. “We were first allotted the third floor. Then the allotment was changed to the fourth floor. We are likely to move in by next week. But this is a temporary arrangement,” Mr. Qamaruddin said. Talks are on for a permanent space in the Mythrivanam building in Ameerpet.
The commission has been touring the State to take stock of the situation in various districts. Despite the efforts, though, the number of petitions received are meagre. “So far, we have received around 20 petitions from the entire State. Those pertain to alleged discrimination in promotions and land issues,” Mr. Qamaruddin said.
