- Govt Advisor highlights social justice measures and major development projects during Independence Day address.
Hyderabad, August 15: Telangana Government Advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Saturday said the State Government was pursuing an inclusive development model with special emphasis on education, employment, economic empowerment and social security for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, minorities, women and other weaker sections.
Addressing the 80th Independence Day celebrations in Adilabad, Shabbir Ali, Advisor for SC, ST, BC and Minority Welfare, said social justice remained central to the government’s policies and that welfare schemes were being complemented by investments in housing, healthcare, education, livelihoods and infrastructure.
He said the government was implementing its six guarantees for eligible beneficiaries, while the 99-day “Praja Palana-Pragati Pranalika”, conducted from March 6 to June 12, focused on development, sanitation, health, welfare, farmers, education, sports, women’s empowerment, environmental protection and other priority areas.
Highlighting SC welfare in Adilabad, Shabbir Ali said three new hostels were being constructed at a cost of Rs 11.10 crore, while Rs 96 lakh was being spent on repairs. During 2025-26, 1,990 students received Rs 78.60 lakh in pre- and post-matric scholarships.
Training was provided to 1,092 candidates through the SC Study Circle, of whom 225 secured government jobs. The government also facilitated admissions in Best Available Schools and corporate colleges, provided Rs 55 lakh to 22 inter-caste marriage couples and extended Rs 10.69 lakh under the Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi. Another 188 self-employment units worth Rs 3.20 crore were sanctioned through the SC Corporation.
On tribal welfare, he said Rs 15 crore had been sanctioned for a new ITDA building. Narnoor mandal secured fourth position nationally in the NITI Aayog 2025 Delta Rankings and first position in the data category, earning an incentive of Rs 1.5 crore. Projects worth Rs 4.29 crore for lac cultivation and integrated ‘Wadi’ agriculture were approved, while dal mill, mahua laddoo and bamboo units were established to strengthen tribal livelihoods. Keslapur Nagoba Jatara also received national-level recognition.
For Backward Classes, four acres were allotted at Mavala for a BC Bhavan. Six potter families received machinery worth Rs 6.53 lakh, while orders were issued for free supply of clay to support their traditional occupation. Scholarships were also provided under the Sparsh scheme.
On minority welfare, Shabbir Ali said 100 women received Rs 50 lakh under the Indiramma Minority Mahila Yojana. Ten beneficiaries were provided motorcycles with 100 per cent subsidy involving Rs 10 lakh, while sewing machines were distributed to 400 women. Free coaching helped 20 candidates qualify in TET, 2,989 students received post-matric scholarships and Rs 15.90 lakh was released for development works at 53 church prayer premises.
He said Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak continued to provide financial support to poorer families. Of 47,876 applications received in Adilabad district, 44,834 beneficiaries had been provided assistance worth about Rs 422 crore.
Shabbir Ali said women remained major beneficiaries of the government’s guarantees. Under Mahalakshmi, 389.26 lakh free bus journeys were recorded in the district, resulting in estimated savings of Rs 16.09 crore. About 1.02 lakh women received LPG cylinders at Rs 500, with Rs 19.20 crore credited as subsidy.
The government was also preparing to distribute smart cards to 2,26,733 beneficiary families. So far, 37,420 new ration cards and 46,098 additional units had been registered. Under Gruha Jyothi, 1.03 lakh eligible consumers received free electricity, for which Rs 101.17 crore was paid to the power utility. Nine new substations were being developed at a cost of Rs 24.70 crore.
Under Indira Mahila Shakti, 11,916 self-help groups were being supported through interest-free credit and livelihood activities, including school uniform production, operation of RTC buses, petrol pumps, solar plants and the Adilabad Mahila Mart.
On housing, Shabbir Ali said 21,767 houses were allotted under the first two phases of Indiramma Indlu. Construction began on 14,772 houses, of which 3,605 were completed, while Rs 311.36 crore was transferred directly to beneficiaries. Another 934 double-bedroom houses at Mavala and KRK Colony were ready for distribution.
He said fresh applications under Cheyutha pensions were being accepted until August 31 from eligible widows, single women, persons with disabilities, toddy tappers, weavers, chronic patients and filaria-affected persons.
On education, Shabbir Ali said Young India Integrated Residential Schools were being taken up at Adilabad, Utnoor and Boath at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore. The Aarogya Paathashala programme was being implemented in 251 schools and spoken English training in 238 schools. Adilabad recorded a 96.90 per cent SSC pass percentage and 67 students secured seats at IIIT Basara.
Eight job fairs involving 97 companies provided employment opportunities to 1,267 youth, while 270 candidates received free training in Artificial Intelligence and Python through TASK.
On agriculture, he said Rs 327.92 crore under Rythu Bharosa was credited to 1,61,121 farmers, while 85,954 farmers received Rs 17.19 crore under PM-Kisan. Families of 632 deceased farmers received Rs 31.60 crore under Rythu Bima. About 16.28 lakh quintals of cotton were procured from 1,03,600 farmers, besides procurement of soybean, Bengal gram and jowar.
In healthcare, Rs 8.75 crore was spent under Aarogyasri on 2,558 patients. MBBS seats at RIMS Medical College were increased to 150, while a nursing college building costing Rs 40 crore and hospital modernisation works worth Rs 41.70 crore at Utnoor and Boath were under progress.
Shabbir Ali also highlighted Adilabad’s first position in South India in water conservation works, for which the district received a Presidential commendation and Rs 2-crore cash award. Under Telangana Jalasiri, works estimated at Rs 88.17 crore included 94,600 recharge pits, 1,786 farm ponds and recharge works for 6,270 borewells. Mission Bhagiratha was supplying treated drinking water to 1,236 habitations.
Turning to major infrastructure, he said the government had accorded administrative approval of Rs 2,278.14 crore for the Adilabad Joint User Airfield, with acquisition of 2,009.23 acres under way. An industrial park was proposed over 2,062.01 acres in Boraj mandal, while the Rs 40-crore IT Tower at Mavala was ready for inauguration.
Lower Penganga, Chanaka-Korata pump house and canal works were taken up at Rs 2,023 crore, with plans to provide irrigation to about 35,000 acres. The Pippiri, Tejapur and Buggaaram lift schemes were also taken up with Rs 141.07 crore.
Earlier, Shabbir Ali, participating as the State Government’s chief guest, hoisted the national flag at the Police Parade Ground after receiving a guard of honour. He witnessed cultural programmes and presented commendation certificates to officials for exemplary performance.
District Collector Rajarshi Shah, SP Akhil Mahajan, MLAs Anil Jadhav and Payal Shankar, MP Nagesh, Adilabad Municipal Chairperson Anusha, officials, elected representatives and members of the public attended the celebrations. (Ends)
