Protest erupts in Gajwel as many fail to get Dalit Bandhu benefits

HYDERABAD: Dalits from Teegul village of Jagdevpur mandal in Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s Assembly constituency of Gajwel protested on Sunday against being denied the Dalit Bandhu scheme despite being eligible for it.

They alleged that a meeting had been held in the village to pick beneficiaries for the scheme without the knowledge of village sarpanch Bhanu Prakash. Of the 400 Dalit families, 20 had received the benefit and a majority of the slots had been bagged by BRS leaders and those associated with them, the protesters said.

They alleged that there was corruption in the selection of beneficiaries. BRS leaders and their followers were being extended the benefits of the scheme, which entitles each beneficiary to ₹10 lakh, and set fire to an effigy of the CM. 

People raised slogans against the CM as well as Minister T. Harish Rao. They warned that they would protest before the collectorate if their demands are not met.

The protesters said that due procedure had not been followed in the selection of beneficiaries. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders also participated in the protest.