Welfare schemes not reaching minority groups: YSRCP leader

Mohammed Nasir, YSR Congress Party State official spokesperson, on Monday urged the State government to resolve petitions from members of the Muslim community as many eligible persons have reportedly been denied social security pensions, ration cards, and the Talliki Vandanam and other schemes.

Speaking to media, he said that people belonging to the minority communities were being treated as second-class citizens in Andhra Pradesh after the formation of the NDA government in the State.

Mr. Nasir who was former director of AP Minorities Corporation met former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Vijayawada, a couple of days ago and thanked Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy for appointing him as the official spokesperson of the minority wing.

“The ruling Telugu Desam Party, in alliance with the BJP, is discriminating in the selection of beneficiaries for the government schemes. Hundreds of Muslims women are visiting government offices to get the benefits of Talliki Vandanam and social security pensions, but in vain,” said Mr.Nasir. 

He asked the government to conduct a socioeconomic survey of the 40 lakh Muslims and other marginalised groups in the State to known their plight and take corrective measures to ensure they also receive the benefits on par with other sections of society.