By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Vijayawada: Residuary Andhra Pradesh state’s first budget statement didn’t get down well with the Telugu Muslims who are now feeling let down by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu led TDP-BJP Government.
Two days ago Finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu presented 1.1 lakh crore tax free budgets for the financial year 2014-15, reading out all the statistics. Government allotted 2,657 crore for SC welfare sub plan, Backward classes welfare received 3,130 crore, while tribals, who form just 5% of population got welfare budget of 1,150 crore.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu
Minister while speaking brief on minorities welfare didn’t present any figures, reading out objective as ‘equitable share of minorities in economic activities,’ he announced the revival of two past failed schemes and a raw share of just 371 crore was set.
In the united Andhra Pradesh minorities budget went up to 1,000 crore, after the bifurcation of the state Telangana government with 10 districts and 13% Muslim population announced the continuation of 1k crore budget, while residuary Andhra Pradesh with 13 districts and 7% Muslim population decided to settle for less than half of the previous year budget.
Mr. Abdul Rehman chairman of Muslim United Front of Andhra Pradesh claim that minorities in the state is angry over Mr. Naidu especially in the backdrop of Telangana Chief Minister KCR announcing continuation of 1000 crore budget for minorities.
“Mr. Naidu once used to describe Hindus and Muslims as his two eyes, but now it seems that one eye has got infected after BJP alliance,” Mr. Rehman said. On the proposed ‘Dukan-o-Makaan’ and ‘Roshni’ scheme he commented, “These are failed schemes of earlier TDP regime, one require to own land to get eligible for this scheme how can you expect a poor Muslim to own land. This budget has created lot of hopelessness among us.”
Currently ruling TDP doesn’t have a single elected Muslim representative, situation is such that even minority affairs ministry which is traditionally allotted to a Muslim is running under IT minister Raghunath Reddy.
Mr. Rehman pointed out that if TDP had been serious about Muslim empowerment they would have at least nominated their own party Muslim leader as MLC and given a cabinet berth, like wise they did for Dr. P. Narayana an education baron who is given a cabinet berth with urban development ministry even though he is still not a member of any of the house.
All the elected five Muslim MLA’s in Andhra assembly belong to the opposition YSR Congress party, in fact after the presentation of the budget all the five MLA’s created a ruckus in the house and even went to criticized TDP for not having a single Muslim on their bench.
YSR CP Vijaywada West MLA Jaleel Khan speaking with TCN said that minorities budget lack in vision, “There is no road map for minorities institution building in residuary Andhra Pradesh. There was no mention about Urdu academy, Haj house, Wakf board, finance corporation, Commsionarate. They should have allotted a separate sub plan for minorities like they did for SC, ST and BCs. This budget provides absolutely nothing to minorities especially Muslims.”
But TDP Muslim leaders have a different take on the whole scenario, party general secretary Ahmed Shariff told TCN that Andhra Pradesh is under financial crisis after Hyderabad went into Telangana, “320 crore is just a beginning and we believe it’s a good start,” he said.
The rationale he gives is the lack of utilization of higher minorities’ welfare funds, “Previous Congress government didn’t utilize more than 300 crore in united AP even though budget estimate was higher. We will make sure the given 371 crore is utilized to its fullest.”
He also added, “One need to take into consideration 60% Muslim population went in Telangana only 40% is left in residuary AP. For sure after our financial crisis is over minorities budget will be increased.”
Ahmed Shariff also refused the idea of new minorities institution building in residuary state, “All the minorities institutes like Haj house, wakf board, finanace corporation, is in the 10th schedule of AP reorganization Act which means both Telanagana and AP will have to fund them combine for 10 years so they will be joint entity. After 10 years we will decide over separate status.”
TDP general secretary also assured that plans have already been made by chief minister Naidu to give a cabinet berth to a Muslim, “As our party didn’t have any elected representative we are waiting for MLC election due for March 2015 six months prior to that a Muslim for sure will be inducted in the cabinet expansion,” he affirmed.