Ex MLA writes to Governor seeking inquiry on SC, ST Commission Chairman appointment

Hyderabad: The Dubbaka former BJP MLA M Raghunandan Rao on Friday wrote to the Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan to order an inquiry into the appointing Bakki Venkataiah as Chairman of SC, ST Commission illegally at the day of issuing notification of elections in Telangana.

In the letter, the former MLA said that when the BRS was in power, the government appointed Bakki Venkataiah as Chairman of SC, ST Commission on September 23 a few days before the scheduled Assembly election in Telangana along with five members Kusram Neela Devi, Rambabu Naik, Konkati Laxminarayana, Zilla Shankar and Renikunta Praveen.

The Chairman and members have been vacant since February 2021 and the High Court had to question the government over the delay.

The erstwhile Telangana government which conveniently slept over the appointment for over two years, suddenly woke up from slumber a couple months before the election and made an appointment. Bakki Venkataiah took charge on October 10 which means after the release of the election notification. The post of Chairman of the SC, ST Commission mandates politically neutral responsibilities and duties. The ruling party may appoint anyone who meets the basic qualifications.

After taking charge as Chairman of ST, ST Commission, Venkataiah indulged in participating in political campaigns for the BRS party in Dubbaka constituency violating rules and regulations. The former MLA requested the Governor to order into the issue and take action.