Cabinet approves 42% reservation for BCs in local bodies polls

The Hindu

4 days ago

Fulfilling a long-pending demand and its pre-poll promise, the Congress government made a historic step towards social justice approving 42% reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in upcoming local body elections.
The Telangana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, approved the decision after a marathon five-hour meeting, on Thursday. The Advocate-General was specially invited to the Cabinet to advise on legal implications surrounding the increased quota. Confident in its legal position, the Cabinet approved going ahead with the elections under the new reservation framework, said Revenue and I&PR Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar while briefing the newspersons at the Secretariat. Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao, Adluri Laxman and Srihari Mudhiraj were also present.
Mr. Ponnam Prabhakar said the decision comes in the backdrop of the Kamareddy BC Declaration made on February 4, 2024, and follows up on the government's earlier commitment, reiterated by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, to enhance BC representation. He said various judgments on the increase in reservations were positive as long as they were increased after a scientific study with empirical data.
The move is based on the findings of the Caste Survey, for which a Bill was introduced in the Assembly and forwarded to the Centre. Despite delays from the Union government, which raised multiple queries, the Telangana government stood firm, with both the Chief Minister and BC Welfare Minister actively pursuing the matter in New Delhi, Mr. Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said.
He said the Cabinet also addressed the High Court's directive to complete local body elections within three months. Accordingly, an amendment to the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018 would be made to facilitate the enhanced reservations.
One lakh jobs
Mr. Prabhakar said the recruitment process for another 17,084 jobs is in various stages, and the Cabinet discussed to issue notifications for 22,033 new jobs to take the total recruitment to one lakh jobs before March next. The government has already filled 60,000 jobs.
In another key decision, the Cabinet approved the establishment of Amity University and St. Mary Rehabilitation University as private universities, with 50% reservation for local students. St. Mary's University will focus on skill development programmes, positioning itself as a non-conventional university.
Mr. Srinivas Reddy said the 19th Cabinet held on Thursday discussed the 327 issues across 18 meetings, with 321 of them ratified. Of these, 96% have already reached the implementation stage, and the Chief Minister issued firm directives to expedite the remaining decisions. He said a quarterly review mechanism will also be instituted to evaluate the progress of decisions taken in the meetings in that quarter.
Agricultural projects
The Cabinet also reviewed incomplete irrigation projects where 98% expenditure has been incurred but no irrigation benefits have been realised. The government decided to fast-track land acquisition and complete these projects at the earliest. Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy presented a detailed report on the same.
Animal Husbandry Minister Srihari Mudiraj said a new policy for Goshalas would be developed soon, and the meeting discussed the current conditions in the approximately 300 Goshalas across the State. A modern Goshala will be developed at Yadagirigutta as a model facility. In addition, the government will release 82 crore fishlings to support the rural economy and fisheries sector.