The Congress party is working on a special declaration for the Old City of Hyderabad to address the unique challenges faced by its residents. Hyderabad DCC President Sameer Waliullah stated that they have started identifying the challenges and are reviewing recent surveys to understand the living conditions and difficulties faced by the people. They plan to collaborate with NGOs and social activists to come up with sustainable solutions. The findings and proposed solutions will be shared with the state leadership and included in the election manifesto. The goal is to create a separate declaration for the Old City, just like the ones made for farmers, youth, and women.
Sameer Waliullah highlighted the seriousness of the situation by sharing alarming statistics from recent surveys conducted by NGOs. These surveys revealed that poverty is a major challenge, particularly for the Muslim community living in the city’s slums. Around 60% of the Old City’s population of 5.8 million reside in slums, with 74% being tenants and only 26% owning their homes. Surprisingly, 38% do not have white ration cards, and in 37% of households, women are the sole breadwinners.
The educational situation is also concerning, with almost 15% of children dropping out of school between the fifth and tenth grades. Hyderabad accounts for 33% of all chronic diseases in the state, and the Old City alone reports over 50% of these cases. Financial issues are also prevalent in the region, with 65% of families struggling with debt and high-interest rates. Many borrow money from private lenders to cover basic needs like food and medicine, with interest rates ranging from 10 to 21%.
In summary, the Congress party is focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by the residents of the Old City of Hyderabad. They are conducting surveys, collaborating with NGOs, and developing sustainable solutions to improve living conditions. The goal is to create a separate declaration for the Old City and include it in the election manifesto. However, the situation is grave, with poverty, educational issues, and financial problems being major concerns for the community.
