Hyderabad, Mar 10 (UNI) Taking a leaf from Maharashtra, the Andhra Pradesh Government have proposed to adopt a sub-plan for the betterment of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Social Welfare Minister D Redya Naik said.

A team of IAS officers would be shortly sent to Maharashtra to study the sub-plan for the weaker sections so that the same could be adopted in the state for implementation of welfare schemes for SCs and STs in a coordinated manner, he said in the assembly while replying to the debate on demand for grants for social welfare.

The Minister said he would shortly convene a meeting to ensure better prices for tamarind collected by the tribals.

He also promised to direct Panchayatraj department to complete drinking water schemes without any delay.

Housing Minister K Jana Reddy, replying to the demand for grants for his department, said 29 lakh houses would be constructed this year for the weaker sections.

Women and Child Welfare Minister N Rajyalakshmi, replying to the demand for grants for her department, expressed inability to regularise the services of Anganwadi workers, who were currently provided only honororium for their services.

She assured the members that backlog vacancies in the posts reserved for physically-challenged persons would be filled up soon.

As many as 29 rehabilitation centres were being started to take care of rescued sex workers, she informed.

The House adopted the demand for grants for Housing and Women and Child welfare by voice vote.

UNI