Wanaparthy: On Tuesday, Bakki Venkataiah, chairman of the SC/ST Commission, urged local authorities to ensure that funds and resources from various government schemes reach SCs and STs effectively. During his visit, he led a district review meeting at the collector’s office. Key attendees included Collector Adarsh Surabhi, SP R Giridhar, officials, District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee members, and association leaders.
Venkataiah questioned how well development and welfare programs from both the Central and State governments were being implemented for SCs and STs. He proposed that Citizen Rights Day should take place on the 30th of each month, with an annual plan set up in advance. He stressed that these meetings should happen in SC areas or local panchayat spaces, not just as formalities. Members of the SC/ST Vigilance and Monitoring Committee and the media should be informed ahead of time. These gatherings should inform SCs and STs about available welfare schemes and assist them in accessing these benefits. Identifying and solving their issues was also highlighted.
He emphasized that a Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting should occur every three months, led by the collector. If not, the SC corporation officer would face consequences. Venkataiah warned that funds from the SC/ST Sub-Plan must strictly benefit SCs and STs. Any misuse by departments would result in severe actions against the officers in charge.
Many attended the meeting, including Additional Collectors G Venkateshwarlu and Yadayya, commission members K. Neela Devi, Rambabu Naik, K. Lakshmi Narayana, J. Shankar, R. Praveen, ED SC Corporation Mallikarjun, DSP Venkateshwara Rao, CIs, SIs, tahsildars, VMC members, and association leaders.
