Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Chinta Mohan staged a protest at Gandhi Bomma Centre in Chittoor, criticising both the Union and State governments for their alleged neglect of the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Addressing the media here on Tuesday, he called for immediate economic measures to uplift these communities through financial support and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Mr. Mohan asserted that despite the Congress party’s longstanding efforts for the welfare of the marginalised sections since Independence, their economic progress remained stagnant. He demanded that banks extend liberal loans to SC/ST communities and unemployed youth, particularly from OBC backgrounds, to encourage self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Lashing out at the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, the Congress leader accused it of favouring affluent business groups, particularly from Gujarat, by extending large-scale loans, which were later waived. “The purpose of bank nationalisation by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has been destroyed by the NDA government,” he lamented. He further alleged that loans to weaker sections amounted to less than 1% of the total financial benefits granted to the affluent class.
Turning his criticism on Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Mohan accused him of neglecting Chittoor district despite serving as Chief Minister for over a decade. He questioned Mr. Naidu for allocating ₹60,000 crore for Amaravati development while failing to initiate significant economic projects in his home district of Chittoor. He urged the State government to ensure balanced regional development by allocating sufficient funds for Chittoor’s economic growth.
Published – February 04, 2025 06:02 pm IST
