Latest news with #Vikramarka
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Expert panel submits report on caste-wise backwardness to Telangana CM
HYDERABAD: The Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG), led by Justice B Sudarshan Reddy and constituted by the Telangana government, on Saturday submitted its report on the state's Social, Educational, Economic, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) survey to Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy. The 300-page report includes a caste-wise ranking and scoring system based on a Composite Backwardness Index (CBI), aimed at assessing the relative backwardness of various social groups in the state. Speaking to members of the group, the chief minister said the data collected through the SEEEPC survey served as a comprehensive assessment of Telangana's social structure. He stated that the caste census was conducted as promised by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and would be instrumental in advancing social justice and targeting welfare schemes to disadvantaged groups. Revanth said the state had asked the expert committee to examine disparities between urban and rural areas and identify community-specific needs. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said thesurvey's findings would help direct resources towards those in need. He noted that the analysis was conducted by an indepen ent panel of intellectuals, se-lected for their experience and objectivity "The committee consists of distinguished individuals known for their integrity," he said. Vikramarka added that the state Cabinet was involved in preparing for the survey by developing questionnaires, over-seeing enumeration and setting up block-level teams. When the survey was presented in the Assembly, several queries were raised, but no fundamental flaws were identified, he said. The deputy chief minister also explained that following the availability of caste census data, the government formed a high-level committee that included Justice Sudarshan Reddy, Prof Kancha Ilaiah, Praveen Chakravarty and Sukhadeo Thorat to recommend future action. "The panel worked with a sense of duty, irrespective of caste background. Even though there are many people from the Reddy community-Justice Sudarshan Reddy, CM Revanth Reddy, and Caste Census Com-mittee Chairman Uttam Kumar Reddy there was no bias," Vikramarka said.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Economic independence key to eliminating gender discrimination: Telangana Dy CM Bhatti
HYDERABAD: In a strong endorsement of women's economic empowerment, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Thursday declared that the core mission of the 'Praja government' is to ensure economic independence for women, which he said is the key to eliminating gender discrimination. Speaking at the Gender Equality Conference organised by the Women's Commission at Nizam College, the deputy CM laid out the government's multi-pronged strategy to uplift women through targeted welfare and entrepreneurial initiatives. 'When women are economically strong, the entire state becomes financially strong,' he said. He revealed that the Congress government has already disbursed `21,632 crore in interest-free loans to women's self-help groups (SHGs) in the first year alone and aims to circulate `1 lakh crore through SHGs within five years with the goal of transforming one crore women into crorepathis (millionaires). Highlighting the government's ambitious renewable energy initiative, Vikramarka announced plans to generate 2,000 MW of solar power in partnership with SHGs. These groups will be assisted in setting up power plants, with the government guaranteeing purchase of electricity through pre-signed utility agreements, he said. 'This model — where women's groups generate solar energy and sell it to the state — hasn't been implemented in any other state,' he asserted. Recalls his student days A proud alumnus of Nizam College, Vikramarka reminisced about his student days (1982–84), staying in Room No 36, and the transformative experience of studying at one of India's premier institutions. He recalled fellow alumni like former chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and ex-Speaker Nadendla Manohar, and noted how many of his peers are now accomplished scientists in the US. He promised to take up the current issues facing Nizam College with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and expressed his desire to return to the college for a full-day visit. ABVP activists block deputy cm's convoy HYDERABAD: Mild tension prevailed at the Nizam College here on Thursday when the ABVP members blocked the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who arrived at the institution to participate in the Gender Equality Conference organised by the Women's Commission. The student activists demanded immediate release of fee reimbursement amounts and scholarships that have been pending for several years. Students vowed to continue their protests until the government clears the pending reimbursements and scholarships.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Deputy CM Bhatti gets a ₹25 crore defamation notice from BJP president Ramchander Rao
Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao has slammed a ₹25 crore defamation notice on Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and sought an unconditional public apology for his 'illegal' and 'unlawful' acts of making false imputations against him with regard to the suicide of University of Hyderabad (UoH) research scholar Rohith Vemula causing him 'serious agony' and 'Irreversible' damage. Mr. Vikramarka has been given three days to apologise or criminal action will be taken claiming damages of ₹25 crore, said the legal notice sent on Tuesday. The notice sent through Mr. Ramchander Rao's advocate M. Vijayakanth and associates, mentions that the Deputy CM at a press conference held in New Delhi at the AICC headquarters has alleged that Mr. Rao was one of the persons responsible for instigating the suicide of the research scholar. The notice stated that the BJP leader was 'absolved' of any involvement in the final report filed by the police in the Court of Special Sessions Judge for Trial of Cases under the SC/ST Act, Ranga Reddy district 'due to lack of evidence'. The police, after examining 59 witnesses and gathering crucial evidence, has held that Mr. Ramchander Rao has not abetted directly or indirectly in the tragic suicide. Yet, Mr. Vikramarka had made 'false statements' which are 'defamatory in nature' with a 'preconceived motive to tarnish the fame and reputation' of the BJP leader, said the notice. Condemning the Deputy CM's statements, the notice said it has caused 'irreversible' damage to the Telangana BJP president's reputation. The notice has cautioned Mr. Vikramarka against making any more such 'false, malicious and defamatory remarks' or further criminal proceedings will be have to be initiated.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BRS government remained indifferent as Andhra Pradesh used 11 tmcft of Srisailam water: Dy CM Mallu Bhatti
KHAMMAM: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday accused the previous BRS government of remaining indifferent when Andhra Pradesh drew 11 tmcft of water from the upstream Srisailam reservoir, impacting water availability in Telangana. He noted that this led to the Nagarjunasagar Left canal's inability to release even one tmcft of water. Speaking to the media at Palair in Khammam district, alongside Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy after commissioning under tunnel works of Nagarjunasagar Left Canal and releasing water for crops, Vikramarka credited past Congress governments for their visionary irrigation projects. These projects, he said, ensured abundant water supply for the state. He accused the BRS of failing to protect the state's water interests despite its financial strength, burdening citizens with poor decisions. The Congress government, he said, was now taking decisive steps to secure Telangana's rightful share of Krishna and Godavari waters and complete pending irrigation projects. Vikramarka said that the BRS's flawed decisions, particularly with regard to the construction of the Rayalaseema Lift Project upstream of Srisailam by AP government, have caused severe water shortage in Khammam district and partial shortage in Nalgonda district. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy announced that water has been released from the Palair reservoir to irrigate Nagarjunasagar ayacut area. He recalled that heavy rains in early September last year caused flooding in Khammam, breaching parts of the Nagarjunasagar main canal and several canals, which were swiftly repaired. At present, water flow was 400 cusecs, with plans to increase this further within five days.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Special development plan in works for Adilabad: Deputy CM Bhatti
ADILABAD: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday said the state government is considering a special development programme for Adilabad district and will soon take up the long-pending Babasaheb Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella project. Speaking after inaugurating a 30-bed community health centre at Luxettipet along with ministers C Damodar Rajanarsimha, D Sridhar Babu and Jupally Krishna Rao, Vikramarka said the Congress government is prioritising health and education. Built at a cost of Rs 8.5 crore, with a Rs 1 crore contribution from SCCL, the hospital aims to provide better medical care to the poor. Government colleges and high schools in all mandals will be upgraded with CSR and DMFT funds, he added. The deputy CM also laid the foundation stone for the Indira Mahila Shakti Solar Plant at Rebenapalli and announced another plant in Andugulapeta at Rs 3 crore, to be developed with 90% bank loan and 10% community share. These plants are expected to generate 4,500–5,000 units per day and earn Rs 51 lakh annually. The government is promoting micro-industries for women in every Assembly segment and encouraging solar power production by women's SHGs. In Mancherial, Rs 80 crore in bank linkage loans was distributed to 863 SHGs. Eight members also received insurance payouts of Rs 10 lakh each. An industrial park is coming up on 212 acres in Hazipur mandal to create jobs for 2,000 youths. Vikramarka criticised the BRS government for ignoring interest-free loans to women. 'When we said we'd make one crore women crorepatis, some mocked us. But in the first year, we've already distributed `21,600 crore in loans,' he said. Under the Aam Aadmi Bima Scheme, women's groups leased 150 buses to RTC, with 450 more to follow. He said the Congress is delivering on its promises and reaffirmed the government's commitment to developing Adilabad and Mancherial districts.
