Congress unveils ‘Minority Declaration’ in Telangana, promises caste census within 6 months

Unveiling the declaration, TPCC president A Revanth Reddy said the document was drafted by a committee chaired by senior party leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir.

Rahul Gandhi’s tour of Telangana made the party realise the need for a Minority Declaration, said Revanth Reddy. “This will not remain on paper. It will be my responsibility to sanction funds to implement the promises,” he said.

“We also have a cricketer who made India proud and he will be contesting from Jubilee Hills. Both the BRS and the AIMIM have announced candidates to fight against Azharuddin, but the people of Telangana will give them a strong answer,” he added.

Revanth Reddy further said that the BRS failed to provide 12 percent reservation for Muslims. The promise was made before the previous Assembly polls, he added.

The TPCC chief said his party’s Minority Declaration should be taken to other states to knock out the BJP.

“Today we are hoping to win Telangana. Next, we will move to other states,” he said while requesting the voters to overwhelmingly support the Congress.

Minority Rights (Minority Declaration Programme) Telangana Hyderabad.

AICC Minority Dept. Chairman Shri. @ShayarImran & TPCC president Shri. @revanth_anumula attended Minority Declaration Program in Hyderabad today & released the manifesto for the welfare & progess of… pic.twitter.com/mKnh9ysXb2

— Telangana Congress (@INCTelangana) November 9, 2023

Also read: Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi to be in poll-bound Telangana for final push

Financial upliftment and empowerment

The declaration said the Congress would carry out a caste census within six months of assuming power.

It added that the party would also ensure fair reservation for all backward classes — including religious minorities — in jobs, education, and government welfare schemes.

The minorities’ welfare budget would be increased to ₹4,000 crore along with a dedicated minority sub-plan.

The TPCC would provide ₹1,000 crore per annum to facilitate subsidised loans for the jobless minority, youth, and women.

Also read: Revanth Reddy files nomination papers in Kodangal

Commitment to education and employment 

TPCC Minority Declaration Highlights

The Abdul Kalam Taufa-e-Taleem Scheme would be launched to provide financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to Muslim, Christian, Sikh, and other minority youth completing MPhil and PhD.

Additionally, ₹1 lakh would be provided on completion of postgraduation, ₹25,000 after graduation, ₹15,000 after Intermediate, and ₹10,000 after the 10th grade.

The Telangana Sikh Minority Finance Corporation would be established to fill vacancies in minority institutions.

The TPCC also promised the protection of religious rights and culture. There would be a monthly honorarium of ₹10,000-12,000 for priests from all religions, including Imams, Muezzins, Khadims, Pastors, and Granthis.

The Congress also said it would amend the Telangana State Minorities Commission Act of 1998 to make the commission a permanent body and table its annual report in the state legislature to make suitable changes to policies for minorities’ welfare.

Land and property records of the Wakf Board would be digitised so that people could reclaim and re-register encroached properties of the board.

Alongside, the party would also protect and allot land for Muslim and Christian graveyards.

Also read: TPCC seeks public suggestion for Minorities’ Declaration

Infrastructure and welfare

The declaration promised to provide a housing site and ₹5 lakh for constructing a house for all homeless minority families under the Indiramma Indlu Scheme.

An amount of ₹1.6 lakh would be given to newlywed couples of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and other minorities.

The party would revitalise skill development through SETWIN and transform the Quli Qutub Shah Urban Development Authority (QQSUDA) to develop infrastructure in the Old City in Hyderabad.