Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

State in a spot over scheme for Muslims

HYDERABAD: The Assembly was adjourned abruptly at 11.30 a.m., two hours before its scheduled closure, following the Opposition’s furore over the alleged failure of the Government in implementing the Prime Minister’s 15-point programme for Muslims.

The Government found itself in a tight spot over the issue, with MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi demanding proof of its implementation. He remained unrelenting even after Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Minorities Welfare Minister Mohd. Ali Shabbir offered replies.

Raising the issue during Question Hour, he indulged in a wordy duel with Mr Shabbir insisting on the proof, while the latter reeled out statistics about the benefits accruing to Muslims under the 4 per cent reservation .

Seeking to pacify the MIM members, Dr. Reddy said there was no need to get agitated over the issue of minority welfare as he had taken sufficient steps for their welfare, including a steep increase in the budget .

Mr. Owaisi said minority welfare was covered by 16 departments, which together had a budget of Rs 7,000 crore during the current year, but not a single rupee was spent on minorities in spite of their share under the Prime Minister’s programme in this being over Rs. 1,000 crore.

The Chief Minister told him that while the minorities formed 9.2 per cent of the State’s population, the Telugu Desam allocated merely Rs. 2 crore towards scholarships to their children. He had reversed this trend by increasing the allocation gradually, taking it to Rs. 125 crore .

Later, Opposition parties stood as one in accusing the Speaker with acting on “remote control” from the Government.

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