The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Muslims asked to make optimum use of 5 per cent reservation

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Friday, Jul 01, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Muslims asked to make optimum use of 5 per cent reservation

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister spells out priorities of his Government

AADAAB ARZ HAI: The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, at the felicitation function organised by the Jamiat Ulam E-Hind in Hyderabad on Thursday.

HYDERABAD: The Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has called upon Muslims to make optimum use of the 5 per cent reservation earmarked for them and become economically empowered.

Responding to felicitations by the Jamiat Ulama at a function at Jubilee Hall here on Thursday, Dr Reddy said employment guarantee for rural poor, job-oriented skills for the youth and strengthening of vocational education were his Government's priorities.

Exhorting the students to utilise the reservations effectively, Dr. Reddy explained how the Government overcame stiff resistance, court battles and criticism to ensure reservation for the Muslims.

YSR praised

Taking a dig at the TDP, the Chief Minister said "first they (TDP) criticised the BJP but did not hesitate to forge an alliance during elections for political gains." The Congress is committed to protecting the interests of Muslims, Dr. Reddy said.

The Information and Public Relations Minister, Md. Ali Shabbir, and Minorities Welfare Minister, Md. Fareeduddin, said Dr. Reddy had taken the bold decision on reservations in spite of strong opposition from some parties. The all-India president of Jamiat Ulama, Syed Asad Madni, said other States were now seeking to implement reservations for Muslims. The Andhra Pradesh unit president, Peer Shabbir, also spoke.

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