Minister defends statement

Visakhapatnam, Apr 21 (UNI) Defending his statement during the election campaign for the Vishaka-I Assembly consituency for which the Election Commission (EC) had served a notice, Andhra Pradesh Information Minister Shabbir Ali today said his announcement on setting up of a special board for minorities at a cost of Rs 1,400 was made in accordance with the earlier orders of the High Court and Supreme Court.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Ali said the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which complained to EC on his statement, had no concern for the welfare of the Muslims.

Not much was done to the Muslims during Mr Chandrababu Naidu's rule. While the TDP allotted a mere Rs 38.42 crore for welfare of minorities during its nine-year rule, the present Congress Government had released Rs 69.72 crore in just two years of its rule.

Further, it had worked sincerely for the welfare of minorities.

The government also cleared the setting up of a women's medical college for minorities for the first time in the country, in Hyderabad.

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