HYDERABAD: Irrigation & Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated Congress’s commitment to secularism and minority empowerment during Ramzan Iftar events in Kodad and Huzurnagar constituencies. Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday addressed gatherings, extending greetings to the Muslim community and emphasizing that the Congress has consistently upheld inclusive governance and religious harmony.
Highlighting key welfare initiatives, Uttam Kumar Reddy revealed that the Congress-led Telangana government has allocated ₹3,591 crore for Minority Welfare in the 2025–26 state budget – the highest ever in Telangana’s history. These funds will support educational advancement, infrastructure in minority areas, aid to religious institutions, and direct economic support to the minority population.
A major initiative under this allocation is the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme, with ₹840 crore set aside to support minority youth. This program aims to create self-employment opportunities through skill training, mentoring, and financial aid to ensure economic independence and empowerment for marginalized youth.
“Congress doesn’t merely preach secularism – we implement it through our policies, budget allocations, and on-the-ground actions,” Uttam Kumar Reddy declared at the event.
Earlier in the day, Uttam Kumar Reddy visited the historic Janapahad Dargah in Palakeedu mandal, accompanied by Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, former Minister K. Jana Reddy, Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy, MP Raghuveer Reddy, MLAs Uttam Padmavathi Reddy, Jayadeer Reddy, Balu Naik, Mandula Samuel, B. Laxma Reddy, Vemula Veeresham and Anil Reddy, and MLC Shankar Naik.
several MLAs and MLCs. The delegation offered prayers and reviewed ongoing development and welfare projects in the undivided Nalgonda district.
During the review, the Minister announced that distribution of fine rice (Sanna Biyyam) for white ration card holders will begin on March 30, officially launched by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at Huzurnagar. The scheme will benefit 84% of Telangana’s population, providing six kilograms of fine rice per person per month.
He stated that the Congress government replaced the previously distributed coarse rice (Doddu Biyyam) because it was underutilized and misused—often sold or diverted to beer companies and poultry farms. “This shift to fine rice reflects a dignified reform aligned with Sonia Gandhi’s vision for a hunger-free India,” he said.
Addressing irrigation concerns, Uttam Kumar Reddy criticized the previous BRS government for allowing Andhra Pradesh to draw 512 TMC out of 811 TMC from the Krishna river by expanding the Pothireddypadu head regulator. He blamed the BRS’s negligence for the crisis in Telangana’s water reservoirs.
He assured that the Congress government would fast-track pending irrigation projects in the region, including Gandamalla, Brahmana Vellamla, Dindi, and Nellikallu schemes. Lift irrigation systems under Nagarjuna Sagar will be revived, and Srisailam water will be redirected through the power station to Nagarjuna Sagar to meet the state’s needs.
A high-level review meeting on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project will be held on Monday, chaired by CM Revanth Reddy. The Minister clarified that the current halt in SLBC works is temporary and work will resume after rescue operations conclude.
