SC Welfare Minister backs Centre for Dalit Studies, promises funds

Minister for Scheduled Castes (SC) Development Adluri Laxman Kumar on Saturday promised to ensure the allocation of endowments to the Centre for Dalit Studies (CDS) following a request for ₹15 crore to implement several initiatives effectively.

Meanwhile, Mr. Laxman Kumar, Jubilee Hills MLA Naveen Yadav and others visited the CDS campus.

CDS Chairperson Mallepalli Lakshmaiah briefed him on the construction of the building, facilities available, and the wide range of programmes being undertaken.

Highlighting the institution’s 26-year journey, Mr. Lakshmaiah detailed CDS’s contribution to Dalit empowerment through research, training, awareness programmes, and policy advocacy. Former IAS officer Kaki Madhava Rao, Prof Limbadri, senior journalist Ramachandra Murthy, and Tipparti Yadaiah also shared their perspectives on the organisation’s work.

A comprehensive set of proposals seeking government support was submitted to the Minister. These included skill development initiatives for Dalit youth, employment generation programmes, coaching for competitive examinations such as UPSC and TGPSC, monitoring of SC/ST Sub-Plan funds, protection of land rights, socio-economic research, leadership training for women and youth, further development of the Dalit museum, digitisation of Dalit literature, and establishment of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Advanced Archives.

Assuring a positive response, Mr. Laxman Kumar said he would personally pursue the proposals, adding that a meeting would be convened with Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, and senior officials to discuss the proposals and extend the required support. If necessary, the matter would also be taken up with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for appropriate decisions, he added.

The Minister further stated that CDS could be developed into a nodal institution for training and research activities with full government backing.

Earlier, Mr. Lakshmaiah requested the Minister to invite the Chief Minister to formally inaugurate the CDS building, to which Mr. Laxman Kumar responded positively.