Hyderabad — In a significant move to bolster the welfare of Gulf workers from Telangana, the state has launched a comprehensive household caste survey aimed at assessing socio-economic, educational, employment, and political opportunities. The initiative, which commenced on November 6, is expected to shed light on the challenges faced by families of Gulf migrant workers. Dr. BM Vinod Kumar, Chairman of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) NRI Cell, underscored the importance of the ongoing door-to-door survey during a press conference held at Gandhi Bhawan in Hyderabad. He urged families of Gulf workers to actively participate in the survey to ensure better welfare programs tailored to their needs. “Engaging in this survey is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the socio-economic landscape of Gulf workers and their families,” Dr. Kumar stated.
He also cautioned the public against misleading information propagated by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), emphasizing the need for accurate data to develop effective support schemes. The TPCC leader outlined various welfare initiatives currently available, including an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to families of deceased Gulf workers. Additionally, he highlighted the establishment of grievance redressal mechanisms such as ‘Pravasi Prajavani’, aimed at addressing issues faced by migrant families, alongside the provision of admissions for the children of Gulf workers in Gurukul schools. Mandha Bheem Reddy, Convenor of the TPCC NRI Cell, elaborated on the survey's potential impact, asserting that the data collected would be instrumental in crafting targeted policies for the welfare and safe migration of Gulf workers.
Reddy criticized the previous government for its inadequate management of Gulf workers’ data, particularly referencing the 2014 Comprehensive Family Survey conducted under the BRS government. Chennamaneni Srinivasa Rao, leader of the Gulf Joint Action Committee (Gulf JAC), praised the contributions of Gulf workers to India's economy, urging them to take pride in their vital role. He emphasized the necessity for detailed village, mandal, and district-wise data concerning age, educational qualifications, and occupations for effectively designing resettlement and reintegration schemes.
This household caste survey marks a pivotal milestone for Telangana, being the first caste-based census since 1931. The exercise, which aims to encompass nearly 1.17 crore households across 33 districts, will conclude by November 30, 2023. It fulfills a long-standing promise made during the Telangana Movement, reflecting the state’s commitment to addressing the needs of the Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other marginalized communities. As the survey unfolds, the TPCC NRI Cell remains optimistic that the insights gathered will lead to enhanced welfare programs and better support for the state’s Gulf workers and their families.
