Telangana Sets Up Panel to Recognise Movement Activists and Their Contributions

Hyderabad — The Telangana government has established a dedicated committee tasked with identifying activists who participated in the Telangana statehood movement and honouring their contributions and sacrifices.

The General Administration Department issued GO Rt No. 679 on Friday, acting on directions from Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The initiative comes in recognition of the significant toll the movement took on its participants.

During the agitation, numerous activists gave their lives for the cause, while others sustained permanent physical injuries. Many faced legal consequences, including criminal charges and imprisonment, for their involvement in the movement.

Committee Structure and Membership

Government adviser Dr K. Kesava Rao has been appointed as the committee's chairman. The panel includes Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, MLC Prof Kodandaram, MLC and government whip Addanki Dayakar, former MLC S. Ramulu Naik, and Mothe Shobhan Reddy. The Political Secretary of the General Administration Department will serve as committee convener.

Mandate and Responsibilities

The committee's first task involves developing comprehensive criteria to identify qualifying Telangana movement activists. Using these guidelines, it will compile a comprehensive list of eligible participants. The panel will subsequently recommend the forms of recognition, honours, and benefits that the government should extend to these individuals.

The committee has been authorised to summon government officials, gather relevant documentation, and hold meetings as required. It also has the discretion to seek input from other officials and individuals as part of its deliberations.

The government has directed the committee to complete its findings without delay and instructed all departments and secretaries to furnish full cooperation to the panel.