Telangana CM showers sops on various sections

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has come out with fresh rounds of sops for various sections on Friday. The slew of announcements include up to 101 units free electricity supply for domestic consumption by the scheduled castes and scheduled tribe families, self-respect community complexes for all the castes in Hyderabad city, payment of Rs 5,000 per month to all the Imams and Mouezzins of mosques in the State and treating the priests of temples under State Endowments Department on part with the Government employees.

According to the official press release the free electricity for the domestic consumption was being increased from existing fifty units to 101 units as the Chief Minister felt that that the earlier limit was not sufficient due to the use of TV and other home appliances in the homes of SC and ST families. The electricity bill towards this consumption will be paid by the State Government to the power distribution companies. “in view of the increased availability of power in Telangana State its benefits should also reach the downtrodden”, the Chief Minister said.

On the construction of “Atma Gaurava Bhavans” for all the castes the Chief Minister said that the land and the funds will be allocated by the State Government. After a review meeting with the officials and the Ministers the Chief Minister said, “backward classes in Telangana are in majority and in large numbers. They are are however backward in social educational and financial years”, the Chief Minister said adding that the Government will construct such buildings in Hyderabad for every caste for their social, cultural, educational and financial advancement. Self respect building complex benefiting 36 nomad castes will be constructed at a cost of Rs 10 crore and by allocating ten acres of lands, he said.

The Chief Minister also announced that the monthly remuneration of Rs 5,000 for all the Imamas and Muezzins will be paid from September 1 this year. This will benefit an estimated 9,000 Imams and Muezzins. Telangana was the first State to introduce Rs 1,000 per month honorarium initially which was later increased to Rs 1,500 and now it has been increased to Rs 5,000.

At the same time the Chief Minister announced that the Archakas performing priestly duties in the temples under endowment departments will be paid salaries on part with the Government employees from the State Government treasuries from September 1. As and when the par revision is implements for the Government employee the same will be applicable to the priests. The retirement age for them will be increased to 65 years from the present 58 years.

He also announced increasing the salaries of employees of 29 mini Gurukuls. The salary of head master and warden will be increased from Rs 5,000 to 21000 and sweepers and watchman’s salary from Rs 2500 to Rs 7500.