Hyderabad: Unfazed by the criticism from BJP and its allies over permission given to Muslim employees to leave offices an hour early during Ramadan, the Congress government in Telangana has directed all departments to ensure better facilities for worshippers during the holy month.
Minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Transport Ponnam Prabhakar reviewed the arrangements at a high-level review meeting with top officials from all departments at the Telangana Secretariat.
Ponnam Prabhakar instructed all officials to work in coordination with each other and take all necessary steps to ensure better facilities for worshippers during Ramadan. He provided specific instructions to senior officers from various departments.
He emphasised the need for uninterrupted electricity supply, clean water distribution, garbage disposal, and other essential services in major mosques, key intersections, and across the city.
The Minister stated that the Telangana government focuses not only on Hyderabad but also on other Muslim-majority areas across the state, ensuring essential arrangements during Ramadan.
He reiterated that the Telangana government believes in treating all citizens equally and compassionately, and the efforts to enhance essential services during Ramadan align with this approach.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister’s Advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Hyderabad MLAs Ahmed Balala, Jaffar Hussain Meraj, Mozam Khan, Mohammed Majid Hussain and others, Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department Tafseer Iqbal, Vice Chairman and President of Telangana Minority Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS) Faheem Qureshi, Waqf Board Chairman Azmatullah Husaini, chairpersons of other minority institutions, Director of Minority Welfare Sheikh Yasmeen Basha, and senior officials from other key departments.
During the meeting, Chief Minister’s Advisor for Minority Affairs, Mohammed Ali Shabbir, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister. Revanth Reddy for issuing a Government Order (GO) allowing Muslim employees to leave offices an hour early during Ramadan.
He also welcomed the possibility of issuing another GO permitting businesses and shops to remain open late at night during the holy month, stating that such an order from the Labour Department would facilitate business activities during Ramadan.
He emphasised that this provision should not be limited to Hyderabad but extended to other cities, with necessary directives issued to the police department. Additionally, he stressed the need to replace carpets in Makka Masjid and Shahi Masjid and review the functionality of CCTV cameras installed around major mosques.
Secretary for Minority Welfare, Tafseer Iqbal, instructed subordinate officers to ensure the strengthening of essential facilities in both Hyderabad and across the state during Ramadan. Officials from the Electricity Department, Municipal Administration, Labour Department, Police Department, and other relevant agencies presented details of the steps taken so far.
The review meeting was held amid criticism of the Congress government by BJP, Shiv Sena, VHP and others over an order issued recently, permitting Muslim employees working in government departments and teachers to leave offices and schools at 4 p.m. every day during Ramadan.
Though the state government issues such an order every year, leaders of BJP and its allies termed it appeasement of Muslims.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar asked why the law is not equal for all under Congress rule. He alleged that Congress imposes restrictions on Ayyappa devotees, Anjaneya devotees, and Shiva devotees but grant relief and exemptions to one community.
“Appeasement politics at its peak,” was how BJP MLA T. Raja Singh reacted to the permission given to Muslim employees.
“Telangana govt allows early leave for Ramadan but ignores Hindu festivals. Equal rights for all, or none,” said Raja Singh.
