BRS seeks withdrawal of GO 14 on BC Atma Gourava Bhavans

Hyderabad: BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan demanded the withdrawal of GO Ms No. 14, which brings BC Atma Gourava Bhavans (Self-respect Buildings) under government control, and restoration of the autonomy of caste associations to construct, manage and maintain the buildings through their own trusts. He also sought a review of the status of all 41 sanctioned bhavans and the release of pending funds to complete the works.

He vowed to raise the issue in the Legislature and explore legal remedies if the government failed to respond.

In an open letter to BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Wednesday, Sravan said the order was issued on October 29 without consulting the BC associations concerned and their representatives. He said the move undermined the self-respect and right of communities to manage their own institutions.

He recalled that the previous BRS government had sanctioned 41 bhavans, allotted 87 acres and 30 guntas and sanctioned Rs 95.25 crore for their construction. The initiative was intended to provide BC communities with spaces to preserve their culture, traditions and the memory of their leaders, while allowing them to manage the facilities, he said.

Under the guidelines issued in April 2022, 15 associations had opted for joint trusts, nine for community-led construction and six for government construction. Associations undertaking construction on their own were also allowed to mobilise additional resources. A subsequent order in September 2022 entrusted the construction and maintenance of five bhavans in Mudiraj-dominated areas to the Mudiraj Development Trust, he said.

The BRS MLC said GO 14, issued by the Congress government, transferred management powers to committees dominated by government officials, reducing community representatives to a nominal role. He objected to the proposed committees being dominated by Ministers and senior officials without adequate representation for the respective caste associations.

He also said the order curtailed the associations’ freedom to organise meetings and cultural, religious, political and social programmes in the buildings. The provision allowing committees to be dissolved without notice or an opportunity to explain was another concern, he said.

Sravan demanded consultations with all BC associations concerned before framing fresh guidelines, along with public disclosure of funds released and spent, the construction status of each bhavan and a time-bound completion plan.