In a heartwarming gesture ahead of Deepavali, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka announced a substantial bonus of ₹400 crore for the dedicated workers of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). He lauded their tireless efforts, acknowledging their crucial role in powering the nation. The announcement was made during a press conference in Khammam on Friday, October 17, where he extended festive greetings to the people of Telangana.
Beyond the festive cheer, the Deputy CM also strongly reiterated the Congress government’s unwavering commitment to providing 42% reservations for Backward Classes (BCs), a key promise from the party’s manifesto. He highlighted that the previous TRS government had, in 2018, imposed a 50% cap on total reservations through legislative action during local body elections. To rectify this, the current administration repealed the old law and issued an Ordinance to restore justice for BC communities.
Further emphasizing the government’s resolve, Mr. Vikramarka stated that two pivotal Bills—one pertaining to local body reservations and another addressing education and employment—were unanimously passed in the Assembly and subsequently forwarded to the Governor. He underscored that the Congress government has meticulously followed all necessary procedures, including a Cabinet resolution, a comprehensive survey, the appointment of a dedicated commission, and a unanimous Assembly resolution, to advance the cause of BC reservations.
The Deputy Chief Minister squarely placed the blame on the BJP government at the Centre for allegedly obstructing the implementation of the 42% reservations for BCs. He appealed to all citizens to actively participate in the BC bandh, scheduled for October 18, organized by BC organizations to protest against the BJP’s stance. He also urged BJP State leaders to facilitate a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure approval for these crucial BC Bills. A definitive decision on the matter is expected during the Cabinet meeting on October 23, once the Supreme Court’s judgment copy is received.
In a separate review, Mr. Vikramarka assessed the performance of the Electricity department across the undivided Khammam and Warangal districts. Recognizing the increasing industrial power demands, he announced the sanctioning of two new 400 kV substations for Khammam district.
He emphasized the critical role of the Power department in realizing the ambitious “Telangana Rising Vision 2047,” asserting that a reliable and high-quality power supply forms the bedrock for development across all sectors. As part of a forward-looking pilot project, efforts are underway to achieve complete solar power supply in select villages within Mahabubnagar and Khammam districts. He further directed district officials to formulate proposals for providing solar-powered pump sets to RoFR (Recognition of Forest Rights) patta holders and for installing solar panels along major irrigation canals and agricultural fields, underscoring a strong push towards sustainable energy solutions.