Andhra Pradesh government will conduct a survey of the economic and living standards of all communities in the state as part of its efforts to eradicate poverty, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said today.
It will ensure every community derives benefits from government's various welfare schemes proportionately, he said.
He was talking to a delegation of Valmiki-Boya community leaders, led by government chief whip Kalva Srinivasulu here.
A release from the CMO said the Valmikis, who are currently classified under BC-A category, requested the Chief Minister to include them in the Scheduled Tribes category, as they are in neighbouring Karnataka.
In UP, Kerala and Haryana, Valmikis are categorised as Scheduled Castes, Srinivasulu said.
Chandrababu had, during his 2,000-km foot march in 2012, promised to include Valmikis in the ST list. The promise was also included in the TDP election manifesto of 2014.
"I will keep my promise," Chandrababu assured the delegation and said he would seek the views of Constitution and legal experts on the matter.
Later, a delegation of Muslims also met the Chief Minister and sought five per cent reservation to the community in education and jobs. The Chief Minister assured them that a committee would be constituted to look into the issue.
He also promised to look into the request for constitution of the state Waqf Board, the release added.
