Minorities' welfare ignored in AP's budget: Shabbir Ali

Deputy CLP leader in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has accused the Andhra Pradesh Government of ignoring the minorities welfare in the Budget 2014-15 presented by Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu on Wednesday.

Shabbir Ali said that the budget speech remained silent on the continuance of 4% per cent Muslim reservation and the Urdu language. The subject of Minorities Welfare has been mentioned as customary and a meager amount of Rs 371 crore has been allocated for the same. He reminded that the previous Congress Government had allotted Rs 1047 crore for the minorities welfare for the year 2013-14 in united Andhra Pradesh. Although it is a fact that the population of minorities in the residuary State is less compared to Telangana, however, reducing the budget to a mere Rs 371 crore could not be justified.

The Congress leader said that the population of minorities in a majority of 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh is more than 15 per cent. They include Kurnool, Guntur, Anantapur, Kadapa, Chittoor, Prakasam, Nellore and Krishna. However, by allocating a meager amount, the TDP Government has completely ignored their welfare, he alleged.

He also asked the government to come out with details of Dukon-o-Makaan and Roshini schemes announced in the budget speech.