Dalit leaders urge reopening of welfare hostels, seek job training for students

In the backdrop of the job calendar released by the State government to fill up around 10,000 jobs in various departments, leaders of various Dalit organisations have urged the A.P. State Commission for Scheduled Castes member Ravada Seetaram to request the government to reopen all Social Welfare Hostels and provide training for Scheduled Castes students preparing for competitive examinations.

On Tuesday leaders such as Kalllepalli Rajagopala Rao, Kantha Venu, D.Ganesh, Gokarla Narayana Rao and others submitted their representations to Mr. Seetaram who held a meeting with officials in regards to land issues, absence of burial grounds, lack of civic amenities for the colonies constructed for Scheduled Castes. Mr. Seetaram said: "People belonging to 50 sub-castes were leading pathetic lives in the absence of livelihood opportunities in Srikakulam and other places.." He assured the leaders that he would request the government to take steps for the improvement of socio-economic conditions of Dalits in the district as well as other parts of the State.