Minister appeals to MRPS leader to withdraw agitation

Hyderabad, May 22 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Koneru Ranga Rao today appealed to Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) Founder-President Manda Krishna Madiga to withdraw his agitation as the Government was committed to the categorisation of Scheduled Castes.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the State Government had written a letter to the Centre, requesting it to fix three months time for the submission of the report by the commission appointed by it, to look into the issue of categorisation of the SCs.

Mr Rao said the State Government was committed to the categorisation and Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had taken up the issue with the Centre.

Urging MRPS activists to desist from indulging in violent activities in the overall interest of the State, he said incidents like damaging public property would lend a bad name to the organisation.

Meanwhile, Mr Madiga refused to withdraw his six-day fast, saying he wanted a decision on the issue within a month so that students do not lose an academic year.

UNI