Govt committed to welfare of BCs: Sujatha

Eluru: Minister for Women and Child Welfare and Mining Peethala Sujatha led officials in paying glowing tributes to noted social reformer Jyotirao Phule on his 190th birth anniversary at ZP meeting hall here on Monday.
The Minister participated as chief guest at a meeting held here to commemorate the birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotirao Phule. The meeting was presided over by MLA Badeti Kota Rama Rao.
The Minister disbursed loans worth Rs 15 lakh to Nayee Brahmin Cooperative Societies. Speaking on the occasion, she described Jyotirao Phule as the guru of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar. She said that the TDP government was committed to the uplift of BCs and to realise Phule's vision for an egalitarian society and emancipation of women.
She said that the government had increased lending to SC, ST and backward classes people to uplift their economic status. She exhorted students to emulate the great qualities of Jyotirao Phule and asked the officials of the Social Welfare Department to re-dedicate themselves to the ideals by which Phule stood.
She appealed to the people from weaker sections to make use of the various welfare programmes being implemented by the government
The Minister said that the government had allotted Rs 5,000 crore for the welfare of backward classes in the State. She said scholarships worth Rs 110 crore will be sanctioned for students in West Godavari district.
ZP chairman Mullapudi Bapiraju said adequate funds would be allocated for uplift of backward classes. District Collector K Bhaskar said Mahatma Phule advocated the need for right to education, promoting literacy among women, downtrodden and weaker sections. He termed Phule as the great reformer who devoted his life to secure human rights to the deprived sections of the society.
MLC R Suryarao said Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule is a social reformer who strived for establishing a new societal order. Mayor Sheik Noorjahan said government was committed to providing jobs to all particularly to the weaker sections and minorities.
BC Corporation Executive Director Pentoji Rao, BC Welfare Officer Lakshmi Prasad, former Minister Maradani Rangarao and BC Welfare Association president Guduri Venkateswara Rao were also present.