Ilapuram pitches for KSCFL chief post

Vijayawada: The local MLC, Ilapuram Venkaiah, here on Thursday, thanked the Chief Minister, N Kiran Kumar Reddy, for allocating Rs 25 crore for the newly-created Andhra Pradesh State Kummari Salivahana Cooperative Federation Limited (KSCFL). Speaking to the media, Venkaiah said that the Federation was formed in 2009 after his repeated pleas to the successive Chief Ministers over the past three decades. He said he had represented the problems of the Kummari Salivahana community to several Chief Ministers and finally secured approval for formation of the Federation when Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy was the Chief Minister. However, the Federation could not begin its work due to political and other disturbances following the death of Dr Rajasekhar Reddy. At this stage, he said he had represented the issue to the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, who initiated the work and finally made it a reality. He said that the Federation, which was formed under the Ministry of Industries, was moved to the Ministry of Backward Classes through a GO 143, issued on October 16, 2012. Again, he had to take up the issue with the Chief Minister through the Assembly Estimates Committee and secured Rs 25 crore sanctioned in the 2013-14 budget. He thanked the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, Finance Minister Ramanarayana Reddy and BC Welfare Minister B Saraiah for allocating funds for the welfare of Kummari Salivahana community. Venkaiah said that the Minister Saraiah had confirmed the allocation of funds for the Federation during Question Hour in the Legislative Council on March 25, 2013, in reqply to his question. He said that the leaders of all political parties in the Council had welcomed the decision and also recommended his name for the post of chairman of the Federation. He said that the Minister had promised the Council that he would refer their request to the Chief Minister. Venkaiah thanked the Minister and other MLCs for recommending his candidature for the post of the Federation chairman. The Andhra Pradesh Kummari Salivahana Sangham leaders MV Krishna Rao and Bhaskar were also present.