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Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Only a handful of 130 BC castes enjoying govt sops
Hyderabad: As the BC reservation debate goes on, those with less numerical strength and scattered across Telangana are pushed into disadvantaged positions, when it comes to reservation. From the 130 castes under Backward Classes, only about 20 to 25 castes are historically dominant castes. They have successfully landed various government provisions, while the others have failed to mount pressure on the authorities to get their rightful share. During the public hearing undertaken by the BC Commission across the State as part of the caste survey, it came to light that these handful of select castes have been enjoying the benefits of reservation, while most are deprived of the same privilege. Commission members had to bear some tough questions from some of the disadvantaged castes during the hearing. 'When we were undertaking public hearings some observations by representatives of a caste under BC category intrigued us. One of them wondered if, on the completion of the survey, they will get the benefits in their lifetime,' stated a panel member, while pointing out that over 100 castes are yet to fully enjoy the fruits of reservation. The BC Commission, which awaits the State Government's SEEEPC (Social, Education, Employment, Economic, Political, Caste) survey – Caste Survey report, is hopeful that justice will be rendered this time around. It is also expecting to get a copy of the 300-page report from the Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG) that was recently submitted to the government. Meanwhile, IEWG has analysed and interpreted the survey and ranked different castes across parameters. It calculated a Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) for each of the castes in the survey. A first-of-its-kind analytical model to measure socio-economic backwardness and assigns a CBI score and rank for all castes. 'For the first time we have developed an objective statistical method to calculate how backward each caste is relative to the other castes. It's only relative to the other castes. To put it in simple terms, it is a backwardness ranking of all the castes,' the group members explained. The BC Commission aims to study as to which of these castes are disadvantaged under the current provisions and based on rankings how many benefits reach the deserving castes. 'Based on the ranking, we will be studying and finding out solutions to provide priority to these disadvantaged castes. We must ensure that these castes are getting benefits at least now. Otherwise, this entire exercise would prove futile,' a commission member told this correspondent.


Time of India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Expert group submits report on caste survey to Telangana govt
HYDERABAD: The Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG), led by former Supreme Court judge B Sudarshan Reddy, submitted its 300-page report to the state govt on Saturday. The group termed the methodology of the Congress govt-conducted Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) survey as scientific, authentic, and reliable, stating that it will become a role model for the nation. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy, along with deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, some ministers received the report at a programme at MCRHRD Institute. The CM said the report would be placed in the next cabinet meeting, likely to be held on July 25, for discussion. The 300-page report assumes significance as the govt is set to earmark 42% reservations to the Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies and is awaiting approval of the ordinance it sent to the governor. The high court had directed the state govt to complete the election to panchayats by Sept 30, including fixing reservations in a month. CM Revanth said, "This is not just data but Telangana's mega health check-up X-ray. As promised by Rahul Gandhi, we successfully conducted a caste survey in the state. This report will be useful for the uplift of the weaker sections in the state and for implementing social justice." You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Revanth further requested the expert group to study the differences between urban and rural areas and the reasons for them. "We request the committee to identify the needs of the people and give appropriate suggestions," he added. Sources told TOI that the report submitted by the expert group calculated a composite backwardness index (CBI) for each of the 242 castes in the SEEEPC survey. The report presents a first-of-its-kind analytical model to measure socio-economic backwardness and assigns a CBI score and rank for all 242 castes. The expert group was tasked to study, verify, analyse, and interpret the SEEEPC survey data of various castes. It was appointed on March 12, 2025. Kancha Ilaiah (vice chairman), Praveen Chakravarthy (convenor), Prof Shantha Sinha, Sukhadeo Thorat, Himanshu, Nikhil Dey, Prof Bhangya Bhukya, and Prof K Purushottam Reddy, among others, comprise the expert working group that studied, verified, analysed, and interpreted the SEEEPC survey. 'Make report public' Meanwhile, Telangana BC Commission chairman G Niranjan on Saturday said the independent expert group has submitted its report on the caste survey to the state govt, adding that it will serve as a valuable tool for advancing social justice. He recommended that the report be made public to ensure transparency.


New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Expert panel submits report on caste-wise backwardness to Telangana CM
HYDERABAD: The Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG), led by Justice B Sudarshan Reddy and constituted by the Telangana government, on Saturday submitted its report on the state's Social, Educational, Economic, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) survey to Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy. The 300-page report includes a caste-wise ranking and scoring system based on a Composite Backwardness Index (CBI), aimed at assessing the relative backwardness of various social groups in the state. Speaking to members of the group, the chief minister said the data collected through the SEEEPC survey served as a comprehensive assessment of Telangana's social structure. He stated that the caste census was conducted as promised by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and would be instrumental in advancing social justice and targeting welfare schemes to disadvantaged groups. Revanth said the state had asked the expert committee to examine disparities between urban and rural areas and identify community-specific needs. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said thesurvey's findings would help direct resources towards those in need. He noted that the analysis was conducted by an indepen ent panel of intellectuals, se-lected for their experience and objectivity "The committee consists of distinguished individuals known for their integrity," he said. Vikramarka added that the state Cabinet was involved in preparing for the survey by developing questionnaires, over-seeing enumeration and setting up block-level teams. When the survey was presented in the Assembly, several queries were raised, but no fundamental flaws were identified, he said. The deputy chief minister also explained that following the availability of caste census data, the government formed a high-level committee that included Justice Sudarshan Reddy, Prof Kancha Ilaiah, Praveen Chakravarty and Sukhadeo Thorat to recommend future action. "The panel worked with a sense of duty, irrespective of caste background. Even though there are many people from the Reddy community-Justice Sudarshan Reddy, CM Revanth Reddy, and Caste Census Com-mittee Chairman Uttam Kumar Reddy there was no bias," Vikramarka said.


New Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
IEWG to submit report on caste survey soon
HYDERABAD: The Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG) has finalised its comprehensive report on the Social, Education, Economic, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) survey conducted by the state government. The IEWG, which met at the MCHRD Institute under the chairmanship of Justice B Sudarshan Reddy, finalised the report on Wednesday. The group said that the report, employing a pioneering framework, calculates a Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) for each of the 242 castes in the SEEEPC survey. 'The report, spanning nearly 300 pages, presents a first-of-its-kind analytical model to measure socioeconomic backwardness and assigns a CBI score and rank for all 242 castes. The report is now awaiting final editorial touches and will be ready within a week,' it said. The group has also intimated Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka about this and sought time to formally hand over the report. Speaking to TNIE, IEWG convenor Praveen Chakravarthy said that they have thoroughly analysed the SEEEPC survey data, and given scores and ranks based on backwardness to each of the 242 castes. 'Every caste will get a score on its backwardness. It is for the first time that such an exercise has been taken up in the country. It will completely change the welfare parameters in the country. Telangana will be a role model for the entire nation in this regard,' he added.


Hans India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Caste survey report finalised, set for govt submission
Hyderabad: The Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG) has finalised its comprehensive report, following an in-depth analysis and interpretation of the Telangana State Government's SEEEPC (Social, Education, Employment, Economic, Political, Caste) survey, commonly referred to as the Caste Survey, and is set to submit it within a week. According to the IEWG, led by Retd Justice B Sudarshan Reddy, the nearly 300-page report presents a first-of-its-kind analytical model designed to measure socio-economic backwardness, assigning a Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) score and rank for each of the 242 castes identified in the survey. The report is now undergoing final editorial touches and will be ready for handover shortly. The Group has already intimated Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka about the completion of their task and has sought a time to formally hand over the report. During a media briefing following its final meeting at the MCR HRD institute, Convenor Praveen Chakravarthy and Vice Chairman Kancha Ilaiah explained that the CBI assigns a backwardness score to each of the 242 caste groups listed in the Telangana SEEEPC survey. They elaborated, 'For the first time, we have developed an objective statistical method to calculate how backward each caste is relative to the other castes. It's only relative to the other 242 castes. To put it in simple terms, it is a backwardness ranking of all the 242 castes. This is done using parameters from the caste census.' The IEWG, tasked with studying, verifying, analysing, and interpreting the SEEEPC Survey data conducted by the Telangana Government in November/December 2024, included members such as Prof Shantha Sinha, Dr Sukhadeo Thorat, Dr Himanshu, Nikhil Dey, Prof Bhangya Bhukya, Prof K Purushottam Reddy, Sandeep Kumar Sultania (Principal Secretary Planning and Finance), and Anudeep Durishetty (Secretary to the IEWG).