HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy has agreed to convene a meeting soon to discuss the problems of freedom fighters of the Telangana region who fought for integration of the Hyderabad State with the Indian Union. The problems centred round the claims of pension pending with the Centre.

Dr. Reddy agreed to convene the meeting with Revenue Minister D. Prasada Rao and department officials, but the date has not been finalised. He responded favourably after several freedom fighters made a representation at the Ravi Narayana Reddy Memorial National Foundation Award function here on Sunday.

Among those who represented to the Chief Minister were Ch. Rajeshwara Rao, MLA and former chairman of the freedom fighters' screening committee, Bhimreddy Narasimha Reddy, ex-MP, and Nandyala Srinivasa Reddy, former MLA.

Complaints galore

According to Mr. Rajeshwara Rao, freedom fighters complained that although their claims were as per rules and approved by the State, officials of the Government of India were declining to accept them following reports of irregularities in the processing of applications.

Chilaka Venkataiah of Warangal district in a representation to Dr.Reddy said action on his application has been delayed on `technical grounds', where as those who were active in the freedom struggle along with him were receiving pension for the last 30 years. He said he was reduced to `utter penury,' having had to sold his property.

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