TRS MP B Vinod Kumar on Friday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning why no one from Telangana was selected for the Padma awards, despite the state government submitting multiple names for scrutiny.
Stating that he could understand the choices of the Padma awards committee in the matter, he said that the process needed to be more equitable to adequately and proportionally reward the contributions of all individuals from all regions.
“My disappointment only grew when I saw multiple names from some regions and States, while none was selected from Telangana for the Padma Awards, announced on Thursday...After browsing through the names of the Padma awardees for the present year, I am saddened to see not a single awardee from Telangana. The State government had earlier recommended multiple names especially from the literary field for the Awards this year. But none were selected,” the TRS MP stated in the letter.
Highlighting the history of the selection process, the MP from Karimnagar, also called for greater transparency.
"Historically, the ministry of home affairs selects names amongst nominees behind closed doors without any transparency. However, by way of multiple RTIs filed over the years, the government finally decided in 2011 to release the selection criteria, process and other details on an online portal. Transparency is always welcome and I laud the efforts of the government to help the general public understand the norms and rules behind these prestigious awards," the letter added.
In October last year, Vinod had written to Modi, demanding that the government expedite the bifurcation of the Hyderabad High Court.
Vinod said that the bifurcation had been repeatedly delayed despite interventions in Parliament, and pleas to the Centre.
“Despite the Supreme Court disposing off the PIL on the issue of bifurcation, the Minister of Law failed to take action on the same as he promised," the letter had said.