As promised, Telangana Chief Minister KCR issued orders on Saturday making Dalit Christians eligible for all benefits enjoyed by Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for education and in other areas. It may be recalled that KCR on Thursday, while participating in United Christian Celebrations, announced that Telangana government would ensure that Dalit Christians would have the same benefits as those of SCs.
“Government after careful examination of the matter in details have decided to extend all non-statutory concessions granted to Scheduled Castes (Hindus) by the State Government to Scheduled Castes Converted to Christianity,” the G.O. issued by Principal Secretary to Government J Raymond Peter said.
Interestingly, it was under the auspices of Raymond Peter that the United Christian Celebrations were organised earlier. And he was among the speakers at the meet who requested the CM to concede to these demands.
However, the G.O. issued by the Telangana Government has a rider. The G.O. says that the statutory benefits such as reservation in educational institutions, reservation in public services, etc. for Scheduled Castes are applicable only to Scheduled Castes with reference to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) order 1950. The Scheduled Castes converts to Christianity shall not be eligible for statutory benefits,” the G.O. clearly states.
KCR had on Friday issued orders for notifying January 1 as holiday in deference to the wishes of the Christian community. The cabinet which met at the Secretariat approved the decision.
The cabinet had on Friday also approved the decision to building a community centre for Christians at a cost of Rs 10 cr as against promised by KCR at a gathering of Christians on Thursday.
