HYDERABAD: A festive atmosphere prevailed in the agency areas that cover 26 districts on Friday with the state government launching the long-pending distribution of podu land pattas for tribals.
With this, Telangana would stand third among states which have distributed podu land pattas for 7.14 lakh acres, after Madhya Pradesh at 9.02 lakh acres and Chhattisgarh at 8.98 lakh acres.
While Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao launched the distribution in Asifabad district, ministers provided the certificates to distribute 4,06,369 acres to 1,51,146 STs.
IT minister K.T. Rama Rao distributed pattas in Mahabubabad district and finance minister T. Harish Rao in Kothagudem district. Addressing a public meeting, Rama Rao demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi tender an apology to the tribals in Telangana for failing to set up the Tribal University under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. He also wanted an apology for the Centre not setting up the Bayyaram steel plant and Kazipet railway coach factory, also were provided for under the Act.
He also wanted the PM to explain in his July 8 address in Warangal why the Centre had not fulfilled the bifurcation Act promises even after nine years.
Harish Rao said the Chief Minister's governance was the "golden age for tribals." He contrasted this with the allegedly broken promises of the Congress concerning the establishment of gram panchayats for tribals.
Harish Rao highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the state government for tribals, Banjara Bhavan in Banjara Hills, improved healthcare through Mission Bhagiratha, Kalyana Lakshmi scheme and financial support of '20 lakh each for the overseas education of tribal children.
