MoS Bandi Sanjay Questions Padma Award for Gaddar
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Synopsis
Union Minister of State for Home, Bandi Sanjay, addressed criticism from Telangana's Chief Minister regarding Padma awards. He emphasized that awards are for deserving individuals and questioned the nomination of Gaddar, citing past violence. The Telangana government seeks more recognition, urging fairness in award distribution.
Key Takeaways
- Bandi Sanjay defends Padma award criteria.
- Gaddar's nomination questioned due to past actions.
- Telangana received only 2 out of 139 Padma awards.
- Revanth Reddy aims for more equitable recognition.
- State government cautioned against renaming Central schemes.
Hyderabad, Jan 27 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay on Monday rejected the criticism directed at the Centre by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy concerning the omission of Padma awards for notable figures proposed by the state government, asserting that such awards are conferred upon those who truly merit them.
“How can the Padma award be presented to Gaddar? How can it be awarded to someone who has harmed BJP representatives and law enforcement officials?” he queried while addressing the media.
The state administration had put forth a nomination for the Padma Vibhushan for the revolutionary balladeer and former Maoist thinker Gaddar, who passed away in 2023. Revanth Reddy had voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the Centre's disregard for the names proposed by the state government, describing it as an affront to Telangana.
He also intends to communicate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the lack of equitable recognition for Telangana in the Padma awards. The state received only two awards out of 139, which included the Padma Vibhushan awarded to esteemed gastroenterologist Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy and Manda Krishna Madiga, founder of the Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS).
Revanth Reddy stated that the state should have ideally secured at least five awards. The state government had nominated distinguished individuals such as Gaddar (Padma Vibhushan), Chukka Ramaiah (Padma Bhushan), Andesri (Padma Bhushan), Gorati Venkanna (Padma Shri), and Jayadheer Tirumala Rao (Padma Shri) for their achievements across various sectors.
Bandi Sanjay also cautioned the Telangana government that should it proceed to alter the names of Central welfare initiatives, the Centre would implement these programs independently of the state government. He emphasized that the Centre would not remain passive if the Congress-led state government persisted in modifying the titles of Central schemes.
However, the BJP representative clarified that these Central initiatives would continue. He reiterated that the programs would be carried out without the state government’s involvement, ensuring that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries directly.
He alleged that the state administration lacks genuine commitment towards Telangana's development. He asserted that the Centre has been providing substantial support for the advancement of Telangana, with ₹12 lakh crore allocated to the state over the past decade. He claimed that if welfare programs are benefiting the underprivileged and development activities are occurring in villages, it is largely due to the Central schemes.
Bandi Sanjay stated that the state government is utilizing funds from the Centre to execute welfare programs but is refraining from using the names designated by the Central government. He accused the state of not adhering to the decisions made by the Union Cabinet regarding the names of these schemes.
“The state government has altered the names of PM Awas Yojana and Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. If the state wants to allocate its own funds and name the schemes as they please, we won't object to them naming the initiatives after figures such as Indira Gandhi, Osama Bin Laden, or Dawood Ibrahim,” he remarked.
Claiming that the Centre is providing free rations to the needy, he accused the Congress government of featuring images of its own leaders. The MoS pointed out that the state government changed the name of the PM Awas Yojana to Indiramma Awas Yojana, referring to the Indiramma Indlu housing initiative launched by the state government alongside three other schemes on January 26.
Bandi Sanjay expressed concerns that the state government’s actions could lead to injustice against the poor. He hastened to reassure that the Centre would not permit any injustice towards the underprivileged and would ensure that the advantages of various Central schemes reach them directly.
