Telangana Elections 2023: Congress Promises Caste Census In 6 Months, To Double Annual Minority Budget

"Minority Declaration" released by Congress on Thursday ahead of Telangana Elections aims to ensure fair reservation for all backward classes, including minorities in jobs, education and schemes.

Telangana Congress promised to conduct a caste census within six months and ensure fair reservation for all backward classes, including minorities if they are voted to power in the state elections scheduled for November 30. The Congress also promised to increase the minority budget up to Rs 4,000 crore annually. The party has committed to allocating Rs 1,000 crore annually to support subsidized loans for unemployed minority youth and women.

Additionally, it pledges financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for minority youth who successfully complete M. Phil and Ph.D. programs under the Abdul Kalam Taufa-e-Taleem Scheme. Under this initiative, students finishing post-graduation will receive Rs. 1 lakh each, while Rs. 25,000 will be granted for graduation, Rs. 15,000 for intermediate, and Rs. 10,000 for Class 10.

The Congress promised a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 for priests from all religions including imams, muezzins, khadims, pastors, and granthis.

The party has pledged to grant house sites and Rs 5 lakh for housing construction to all homeless minority families under the Indiramma Indlu Scheme. Newly-wed couples from Muslim, Christian, Sikh, and other minority communities will receive Rs 1.60 lakh in financial assistance, according to a report on IANS.

As part of its proposed changes, Congress plans to amend Telangana State Minorities Commission Act, 1998, making it a permanent institution. The Commission's annual report will be presented in the state legislature, facilitating necessary adjustments for the welfare of minorities.

If elected, Congress intends to digitize the land and property records of the Waqf Board. Efforts will be made to reclaim and re-register encroached properties belonging to the Waqf Board.

On Thursday, "Minority Declaration" was released at a programme attended by senior leader and former union minister Salman Khursheed, MP and Congress Minority Department national Chairman Imran Pratapgarhi, Telangana state President A. Revanth Reddy, state Working President and former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin, former state minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir, state Vice President Zafar Javeed and other leaders.