∙ Advisor to TG Govt conducts review meeting with heads of minority bodies
Hyderabad, August 24: The Telangana Government is set to finalise short-term and long-term measures to enhance initiatives aimed at minority welfare.
Following directives from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Advisor to the Telangana Government for SC, ST, BC & Minorities Welfare, Mohammed Ali Shabbir, chaired a review meeting with the chairpersons of all minority bodies at the Telangana Secretariat on Saturday. Attendees included Telangana State Waqf Board chairman Syed Azmatullah Hussaini, Urdu Academy chairman Taher Bin Hamdan, Telangana Minorities Finance Corporation chairman Obaidullah Kotwal, Christian Minorities Finance Corporation chairman Deepak John, Special Secretary to the Government & Commissioner, Minority Welfare Department Tafseer Iqbal, and other senior officials.
Briefing the media afterwards, Shabbir Ali reported that several key issues were discussed during the meeting. These included budget allocations for various departments for the 2024-25 fiscal year. There was also a detailed discussion on implementing the promises made in the Minority Declaration announced by the Congress party during the Assembly elections. Shabbir Ali extensively discussed the schemes to be included and the budget allocated in the current financial year.
During the meeting, it was decided that the computer centres and Urdu libraries operated by the Urdu Academy should be modernised. Shabbir Ali emphasised that all existing centres should be upgraded with the latest technology, and the establishment of new centres should be explored.
Shabbir Ali also stressed the importance of ensuring that Imams and Muezzins receive their monthly honorarium regularly, without delays or obstacles.
The meeting included discussions on repairs and restorations of Urdu Ghar and Shadi Khanas across Telangana. It also addressed the release of funds for the repair and restoration of mosques, Idgahs, churches, and graveyards. After reviewing the status of Overseas Scholarships, Shabbir Ali highlighted the need to immediately release funds. There was also a detailed discussion on the pending fee reimbursement bills. Similarly, the pending bills for building rents and other expenses related to TMREIS and the Shadi Mubarak scheme were discussed.
The adjustment of terminated staff members who previously worked in residential schools due to the appointment of regular staff in TMREIS was also discussed.
The meeting also covered establishing an Islamic Culture Centre in Hyderabad and constructing a Christian Bhavan. Shabbir Ali emphasised that all vacant posts of Heads of Departments in various minority welfare departments should be filled immediately.
It is noteworthy that Shabbir Ali held a meeting with the Heads of Departments related to minority welfare on Friday, and today, he met with the chairmen of various corporations. Shabbir Ali informed that the various proposals finalised during the meeting would be presented to the Chief Minister during a review meeting on minority welfare, likely to be held on August 27. (eom)