Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday announced a ₹400 crore Diwali bonus for Singareni workers, describing the gesture as a tribute to their contribution to the nation’s energy sector.
Speaking at the Congress party office in Khammam, Bhatti said the bonus reflects the State government’s appreciation for the workers’ hard work. He extended Diwali greetings to the people of Telangana, wishing for light, prosperity, and the triumph of knowledge over ignorance.
He further reiterated the Congress government’s commitment to implement 42% reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in Telangana, stating that it had conducted the first-ever comprehensive socio-economic and political survey since Independence.
The state passed the BC reservation Bill with unanimous Assembly support
Bhatti Vikramarka noted that the Telangana Assembly had passed two Bills—one on local body reservations and another on reservations in education and employment—after repealing the previous 50% cap imposed by the BRS government during the 2018 local elections.
He added that the State had followed all legal procedures, including a Cabinet resolution and appointment of a dedicated commission. However, the Centre had not approved the Bill, thereby stalling its implementation.
He blamed the BJP-led central government for obstructing the process and urged Union Ministers Kishan Reddy, Bandi Sanjay, and State BJP President R. Ramachandra Rao to facilitate meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President.
Bhatti also called on the public to participate in the BC Bandh scheduled for October 18 across Telangana, accusing the Centre of denying permissions for an all-party delegation to advocate for the Bill in Delhi.