Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has reaffirmed his dedication to the welfare of minorities. He announced that the government has spent Rs 23,175 crore on minority welfare out of the total budget of Rs 2,40,000 crore for various welfare schemes in the past 53 months.
During the celebration of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Moulana Abul Kalam Azad, which is also observed as National Education Day and Minorities’ Welfare Day, YS Jagan addressed a public gathering at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium in Vijayawada. He highlighted the efforts made by his father, former Chief Minister Dr YS Rajashekara Reddy, who introduced reservations for Muslims for the first time. YS Jagan emphasized that his government is continuing this work by focusing on the social, economic, educational, and political empowerment of minorities.
YS Jagan pointed out that during the previous TDP rule, there was no Muslim representation in the cabinet. However, in the current YSR Congress Party Government, four Muslim MLAs and four MLCs hold positions as lawmakers, and there is a deputy Chief Minister and deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council from the minority community. The government has also implemented a law that allocates 50% of nominated posts to SC, ST, BC, and minorities.
To protect the properties of the Wakf Board and Churches, the State Government has issued orders. It has also established a sub-plan for minorities and provides a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000 to imams and Rs 5,000 to mouzams and pastors. Additionally, Urdu has been introduced as a second language in schools, and Haj Yatra is arranged from Vijayawada.
YS Jagan mentioned that along with SC, ST, and BC communities, minorities are benefitting from various welfare schemes. He highlighted the YSR Kalyanamasthu Shaadi Tohfa program, which helps Muslim girls pursue education. During the event, YS Jagan was felicitated by minority leaders and presented the Lifetime Achievement and other Awards for 2023 to Muslim scholars.
Furthermore, YS Jagan presented the Moulana Azad National award to Dr SA Sattar Saheb, Baba Frakruddin, and Dr Patan Karimulla. The Dr Abdul Haq award was received by Mohammad Azmat Ali, Patan Mohammad Khan, Shaik Abdul Gaffar, Syed Shafi Ahamad Quadri, and Mohammad Gouse Arif. The Deputy Chief Minister (Minority Welfare) SB Amzad Basha and other minority leaders also attended the program.
