The state government has announced `15 crore fund to Medari (Mahendra) community and assured it is ready to allot more, if need arises.
About the prime demand to convert Medari community from BC-A category to ST, finance minister Etela Rajender said he would convey the message to chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
The minister made the announcements at a public meeting of Medari (Mahendra) community organised here on Sunday. ‘’We will ensure every rupee of the fund is spent,” Rajender said.
“The chief minister announced Bhavans in Hyderabad for many communities and hostel facility for students. We will request him to allot land for Mahendra community and a bhavan,” Rajender said.
Thousands of members of the community from all districts of the state attended the meeting.
The Medari community traditionally depend on bamboos products to eke out their livelihood. Surge in use of plastic, and other materials brought down demand for their products. Other demands of the community include pensions who are above 50 years and 20 per cent of the trees in each district under Haritha Haram should be bamboo trees.
Health minister C Laxma Reddy, industries minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Mahbubnagar MP AP Jithender Reddy also attended the meeting.
Source: The New Indian Express