The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Welfare of SCs dominates proceedings at ZP meeting

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Welfare of SCs dominates proceedings at ZP meeting

Staff Reporter

Amalapuram MP’s comment against State triggers protest

Photo: S. Rambabu

Making a point: Minister P. Subhaschandra Bose addressing the ZP general body meeting in Kakinada on Saturday. —

Kakinada: The alleged failure of officials in properly enforcing the laws relating to welfare of Scheduled Castes dominated the proceedings in the Zilla Parishad general body meeting so much that Amalapuram MP G.V. Harsha Kumar expressed regret that the government appeared to be not serious in fulfilling its commitments.

His comment drew condemnation from Mummidivaram MLA P. Viswaroop, who said that the MP could grill the officials for dereliction of duty but should not point fingers at the government which did its best for all sections, particularly the Scheduled Castes and other weaker sections.

Heated exchanges

Heated exchanges ensued between supporters of the MP and the MLA, plunging the meeting into chaos. The MP then come up with an explanation that his intention was not to discredit the Congress Government but to highlight the plight of the Scheduled Castes against whom atrocities were continuing unabated in the district despite the slew of legislations promulgated for their welfare.

Mr. Kumar further sought to know from Ministers Pilli Subhaschandra Bose (Social Welfare) and Gollapalli Surya Rao (Small Industries) and Collector Gopalakrishna Dwivedi why the suspension on police officers who were responsible for the violence at Pottilanka was revoked in alleged violation of norms and compensation was still not fully paid several months after the incident took place.

TDP charge

Taking advantage of the MP finding fault with the government, TDP Floor leader Reddi Ramakrishna said the government was a total failure and it could not expect the people to repose their confidence in it.

Earlier, Mr. Harsha Kumar asked what action was taken against Rajahmundry RDO and rural MRO whom he accused of doing real estate business with lands meant for allotment to SC welfare activities. The Collector answered that the facts would be ascertained in a week or 10 days and appropriate action would be taken against all those involved in the land deals.

As regards the Pottilanka issue, he claimed to have sent repeated reminders to the government for the balance compensation (Rs. 3.5 lakh) to be paid to the victim and that the SP owed an explanation for reinstatement of the suspended cops.

Making a statement on the SC atrocities cases, Mr. Bose said that the government had identified 25 long-pending and sensational cases in the State, including two in East Godavari district, and they were being dealt with expeditiously There were some procedural hurdles and delay tactics by the accused but the culprits would not go unpunished, the Minister asserted.

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