Pratibha Bharati extends support to “Dalita Chaitanya” cycle rally

It will help spread awareness on the rights of dalits, she says

CPI(M) plans “Chalo Assembly” on March 10

KHAMMAM: The government will collapse if it continues to pursue the policies that are detrimental to the interests of dalits, said Telugu Desam Party vice-president and former Assembly Speaker K. Pratibha Bharati.

Ms. Pratibha Bharati visited various dalit habitations in Wyra mandal on Saturday and extended her support to the ongoing 75-day “Dalita Chaitanya” cycle rally being organised by the Kulavivaksha Vyatireka Porata Sangham (KVPS) under the leadership of CPI (M) Central Committee member Tammineni Veerabhadram.

Addressing a meeting held at Dachapuram village on the occasion, Ms. Pratibha Bharathi alleged that the dalits were living under miserable conditions due to inadequate budgetary allocations to the welfare of dalits.

“The large-scale diversion of the meagre funds earmarked for the dalits has further compounded their miseries,” she alleged and deplored that the dalit students were the worst hit by the failure of the government to release the total outstanding dues of fee reimbursement to the students.

Commending the initiative of Mr. Tammineni Veerabhadram in organising the cycle rally for the cause of dalits, Ms. Pratibha Bharati said the well conceived programme would help spread awareness on the rights of dalits and prevent discrimination against them.

In his address, Mr. Veerabhadram alleged that the government again meted out a raw deal to dalits in allocation of funds for their welfare in the new budget. The party in collaboration with various other associations would organise a “Chalo Assembly” programme on March 10 to press for enhancement of the budgetary allocation to dalits in proportionate to their population, he said.

The Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham district general secretary M. Venkateshwar Rao and others were present.