‘ST thandas to be upgraded’

The state government is considering a proposal on upgrading  Scheduled Tribe thandas having a population of 1,000 and above as gram panchayats, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said.

Inaugurating an Indira Jala Prabha block at Tirumalapur Thanda in Pudur in Rangareddy district on the 3rd day of Indiramma Baata on Wednesday, he said upgradation of schools, infrastructure, health care, employment and skill development was being taken up.

Distributing special apparatus to the physically challenged and interacted with parents at Manneguda, Kiran Kumar Reddy said that a study by health experts on special measures would be taken up for the welfare of mentally challenged children. He said the state government was sympathetic to the parents of mentally challenged children.

The chief minister announced that the government was taking all steps to protect the interests of dairy farmers. Meetings were held in this regard and directed Vijaya Dairy officials not to reduce the milk  procurement price, he said. Saying that the present crisis was temporary, he assured that the government would stand by farmers. The  Milk Mission was launched to help dairy farmers, he said, adding that the budget for agriculture and allied sectors was enhanced this year to Rs 5200 cr from Rs 3,800 cr.

Reddy also laid the foundation for an RTC bus depot at Damaragidda.

He reiterated the government’s resolve to provide 50 percent reservation for women in the ensuing local body elections.Addressing a mammoth public meeting at Chevella in the evening, Kiran  said, “We are not opposing categorisation of SCs.’’