NALGONDA: Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Tuesday said the State government has accorded top priority to education, stating that Dr. B. R. Ambedkar believed progress is possible only through education.

The Minister was speaking after paying floral tributes to the Ambedkar statue at the bypass road and participating in Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations held near the DEO office in Nalgonda.

He said Ambedkar worked for social justice, equality and inclusive growth, and described education as the strongest pathway for upliftment of downtrodden sections. He said the State government was promoting social integration through Young India Integrated Residential Schools, replacing the earlier caste-based hostel system.

Highlighting constitutional provisions, the Minister said the formation of Telangana was made possible through Article 3, reflecting Ambedkar's vision for administrative flexibility and balanced development through smaller States. He added that Ambedkar's contribution was for all sections of society and not confined to any one group.

He announced that the junction opposite the DEO Office on Devarakonda Road in Nalgonda will be renamed as "Ambedkar Circle." He said DMHO and DEO offices located on Devarakonda Road will be shifted to the Collectorate for planned development of the area. He also said Rs 15 crore has been sanctioned for road development from Panagal to the DEO Office, with works scheduled to begin before May 2.