Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka at a review meeting at the Integrated District Office Complex in Khammam on Friday (October 17). | Photo credit: ARRANGEMENT
Lauding the tireless hard work of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) workers in lighting up the nation, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said that SCCL workers will be paid Deepavali bonus totaling ₹400 crore.
He announced this at a press conference in Khammam on Friday (October 17) and extended Deepavali greetings to the people of Telangana.
He reiterated that the Congress government is firmly committed to providing 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BC) as promised in the Congress party manifesto and said that the previous TRS government had implemented a 50% cap on total reservations through legislation during the 2018 local polls.
“We repealed this law and issued an order to restore justice. Two bills – one for local body reservations and the other for education and employment – were unanimously approved and sent to the governor,” he added. The Congress government has already taken all the required steps – Cabinet resolution, survey, appointment of a special committee and unanimous Assembly resolution, he noted.
“It is the BJP government at the center which is solely responsible for blocking 42% reservation for BC,” he claimed. “I urge everyone to participate in the BC bandh called by BC organizations on October 18 to protest against the BJP,” he added.
He urged state BJP leaders to take the initiative and hold a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the passage of the BC Bills. After receiving a copy of the Supreme Court judgment, the matter will be discussed and a decision will be taken in the cabinet meeting on October 23, he added.
He later reviewed the functioning of the Electricity Department in the undivided districts of Khammam and Warangal. He said that two 400 kV substations would be sanctioned for Khammam area to meet the growing industrial power needs.
Emphasizing the role of power department in realizing ‘Telangana Rising Vision 2047’, he said quality power supply is the foundation of development in every sector. He said that under the pilot project, the effort is to ensure complete supply of solar energy in selected villages of Mahabubnagar and Khammam districts.
He directed the district officials to prepare proposals to provide solar pumping sets to RoFR (Recognition of Forest Rights) patta holders and also to install solar panels along major irrigation canals and fields.
Published – 17 Oct 2025 20:16 IST
