BCs benefited largely in Alliance government rule, says APIWA Board Chairman

APIWA Board Chairman Dr. Z. Shivaprasad addressing a press meet at Telugu Desam Party office in Nellore on Wednesday

The Backward Castes (BCs) were mostly benefited during the last one year of Alliance government regime, said Andhra Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority Board (APIWA) Chairman Dr Z. Shivaprasad.

Addressing a press conference organised on ‘Development of BCs during the coalition rule in the year’ at Telugu Desam Party (TDP) office in Nellore on Wednesday, Dr. Shivaprasad said, “The Alliance government is shaping the BC Protection Act to create fear and prevent attacks on the BCs. It has allocated ₹47,457 crore for the development of BCs in the 2025-26 State budget. Among nominated posts, Legislative Assembly seats and local bodies, the BCs were given the maximum posts.”

He said, “Assembly Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, Union Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, TDP President Palla Srinivasa Rao, eight ministers in the State cabinet, and 38 legislators were from the BC communities only. During 2014-19, the TDP government had spent ₹3,700 crore for BC Corporation. Today, the Alliance government has allocated large amount of funds.”

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government had stopped funds for BC Corporation and cancelled subsidised loans. It had only considered the BCs as vote bank, he alleged.

He said that the TDP government had earlier increased BC reservations in local bodies from 20% to 34%, and now passed a resolution in the Legislative Assembly to implement 33% reservation for the BCs.

Earlier, the TDP government had provided state-of-the-art equipment to 4.2 lakh poor BCs dependent on handicrafts through the Adarana scheme.

Now, the Alliance government has allocated 10% of the liquor shops for Geeta workers. A special corporation has also been formed for the welfare of goldsmiths.

It has repealed GO 217, which will affect the employment of 20 lakh fishermen. It is credited with increasing the compensation for hunting bans at ₹20,000 under the ‘Matsyakarula Sevalo’ scheme and salaries of Nayi Brahmins in temples to ₹25,000. It has abolished the GST on the handloom sector. It is also providing free electricity to power looms.