KCR OPENS THE GIFT BAG FOR MINORITIES

CHIEF MINISTER K. CHANDRASEKHAR RAO ANNOUNCED A SERIES OF SOPS FOR THE MINORITIES IN THE STATE, IN THE ASSEMBLY ON THURSDAY.

Reservations for Muslims, Christians and linguistic minorities in all welfare schemes and programmes. Quotas for each category will be decided, Muslims are expected to get 4 per cent.

Urdu would be treated as the official second language of the state. Competitive and recruitment exams would be held in Urdu along with English and Telugu.

66 Urdu officers would be appointed in all important institutions starting with the Council and Assembly, offices of the Chief Minister, Cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary, Director-General of Police, and district collectorates.

Financial assistance for pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Christians and monthly salary for pastors/ reverends.

Study circles, skill development centres, women empowerment centres for minorities in district headquarters.

Extension of subsidised loans up to `2.50 lakh without any bank linkage for self employment schemes.

Upper income ceiling to `5 lakh from `2 lakh for students to avail the `20 lakh scholarship to pursue studies abroad which will be applicable to minorities, SCs, STs and BCs.

Fee reimbursement and scholarship arrears of minorities to be cleared.

Government spent over `800 crore for the welfare of minorities this fiscal.

TS ready to spend `2,800 per student per year in minority residential hostels.