Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Friday expressed his agony that despite several programmes, schemes and plans for the SC/STs since independence, there is still poverty among these communities.
Chandrasekhar Rao said the SC/STs are still living under dire poverty conditions in the society and the government has a responsibility to work for their upliftment.
He said there is a need to prepare a comprehensive plan for the welfare of the SCs and STs, adding everyone should help in implementing the same in true letter and spirit.
"The Telangana state is moving in the right direction and has registered the highest development rate in the country. This growth result should be used to eradicate poverty in the state and this should be our aim," he said.
The Chief Minister asserted that there has to be plans for these communities living in urban, semi-urban and rural areas.
"The living standards of the SC/STs living in these three areas are different. Hence, there is a need to plan for each of this category separately," he added.
Asserting that there should be transparency, he said, "Let us bring in development in these communities by working with dedication, then only as people's representatives and officials we will derive satisfaction.