Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy on Wednesday clarified that the list of Telangana martyrs released by the State Government last month was not final.
Intervening during the discussion on budget in the State Legislative Council, the Home Minister said that the list of 459 martyrs released as per Ms No 36 dated October 27 was just the beginning. He said that the district authorities have already been directed to update the lists by verifying the details. He assured that all martyrs, including those who sacrificed their lives for statehood cause since 1969 agitation, would be extended financial and other benefits, as decided by the State Cabinet.
Earlier, TDP MLC Narsi Reddy pulled up the government for not including all the martyrs in the list. Congress MLC Mohammed Ali Shabbir demanded that the State Government issue a modified GO by stating that all martyrs, including those who participated in 1969 agitation, would be provided promised assistance.
The Home Minister informed that the State Government has already allocated Rs 100 crore in the State's budget to help the families of Telangana martyrs and this amount would be raised after the preparation of final list. He asked all MLCs to share the information with the government with regard to Telangana martyrs. At one time, Nayani got angry with Narsi Reddy and said that the TDP has no moral right to speak about Telangana martyrs as it opposed and also created obstacles in the formation of Telangana.