Hyderabad: Finance minister Etala Rajender on Tuesday blamed the greed of the local VRO for the suicide attempt by two dalits in Manakondur. The two youths had attempted suicide alleging they were not getting the three acres of land promised by the government.
Mr Rajender said that the VRO has already been kept under suspension following allegation that he was collecting bribes from dalits for allotting lands.
The minister said that Mahankali Srinivas, one of the victims, had been to Dubai twice in search of a job. He had returned to his homeland and applied for the free land scheme announced by the government.
The minister, along with Government Chief Whip Koppula Eswar, Karimnagar Zilla Parishad chairperson Tula Uma and Karimnagar municipal chairman Ravinder Singh, told the media in Karimnagar that so far, 650 acres have been acquired by government in Illinthakunta mandal and handed over to dalits.
In Gudem village too, so far 60 acres were acquired and 48 eligible dalits have been identified by the government for the land scheme.
“We heard complaints that the local VRO was collecting Rs 20,000 each from dalits. We ordered his immediate suspension. We are trying to do justice to all dalits but the two victims thought they wouldn’t get the land and attempted suicide,” Mr Rajender said.
He continued: “Our government is not against dalits. In fact, it is the only government that is trying to do justice to dalits, when compared to any other previous government.”
The minister said that though the Congress and TD ruled the state for 57 years, only Rs 100 crore was provided for purchase of land for dalits.
“The TRS government so far spent Rs 479 crore and 11,279 acres have been bought and allotments made to eligible dalits. Another Rs 800 crore has been earmarked for purchase of land for dalits,” Mr Rajender said.
