The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : 'Dalitwada needs development first'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

'Dalitwada needs development first'

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: CPI (M) State Secretary B. V. Raghavulu has demanded that the Government take up all Scheduled Castes (SC) colonies for development under the Indiramma programme in the first year by announcing a special package.

"Dalitwadas are the worst affected in terms of development. Poor sanitary conditions, lack of proper roads and drinking water schemes in these colonies is glaringly evident'', Mr. Raghavulu said. ``If at all there is any need for development of infrastructural facilities, it is in the SC colonies'', he told The Hindu on Tuesday at Proddaturu in Shankerpally mandal, as part of the on going Samajika Chaitanya cycle yatra.

Pranahita-Chevalla link

He was sceptical about the completion of the Pranahita-Chevella link.

``Even if the project is completed, it is not going to solve the irrigation needs of Vikarabad, Tandur and Parigi constituencies'', he said adding that more funds should be allocated for minor irrigation schemes in the backward Ranga Reddy district.

Commenting on his cycle yatra, he said dalits continued to suffer at the hands of the caste Hindus.

They were not in possession of the lands allotted to them by the Government.

Lack of sufficient space for burial grounds was causing immense hardship to the SCs.

He said unemployment among the dalits would come down if reservation was introduced in the private sector.

A comprehensive educational institution for the SC, ST and BCs in Ranga Reddy district was the need of the hour, he added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail