All Party Delegation Requests PM to expedite SC categorization

New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minster Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today led an all-party delegation to Prime Minster Manmohan Singh requesting him to expedite a Central legislation to categorise Scheduled Castes in the State.

Such a categorisation would enable the most backwards among the SCs to enjoy benefits of reservation. Dr Reddy told the Prime Minister that the A P Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution in this regard but the Courts had struck it down.

The Prime Minister assured the delegation that he would talk to the floor leaders of all the political parties to expedite the matter. The delegation consisted of State Minsters Koneru Ranga Rao, M Mareppa, PCC President P Kesava Rao, Nandi Yellaiah, Vital Rao, Sarvey Satyanarayana, S Sudhakar Reddy, all MPs, N Indrasena Reddy, State BJP President, N Narsimha Reddy, K Ramulu, Syed Ahmed Pasha, Smt D K Aruna, C Venkat Reddy, Varaprasada Rao, all MLAs, Krishna Madiga and Kanaka Rao among others.

Dr Reddy also called on Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni, Union Environment and Forests Minster A Raja and the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Ambumani Ramdoss.

Later talking to newspersons, Dr Reddy said that he discussed State tourism projects including modernisation of Charminar, Buddhist circuit project with Ms Soni. He also sought in principle, approval for starting a Southern Splendour train on the lines of Palace on Wheels in the state.

He requested Mr A Raja to permit the state to use 10,000 hectares for coffee cultivation for tribals of Vizag and West Godavari districts. Similar project to grow coffee is now being successfully implemented on 4,000 hectares. He also requested the Centre to permit using Rs 40 crores from the Compensatory Afforestation Funds for the ecological development of Lolleru lake in the State.

Dr Reddy also sought Central assistance for the proposed Health Insurance for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the state. He also requested the Centre to approve the recommendations of the Medical Council of India (MCI) on private medical colleges in the state so that the number of seats for the next academic year was not cut. He also requested the Centre to permit medical colleges to employ retired faculty members to overcome shortage of faculty.

To a question, the Chief Minister said his government is not in favour of merger of Vishakha Steel Plant with SAIL. Instead the state government is requesting the Centre to allot a captive mine for the plant for bringing in stability.

UNI MCN PA KN2050