The decision comes ahead of the 2025 Budget Session, where the state government is expected to table the bill for legislative approval.
Published Mar 06, 2025 | 7:15 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 06, 2025 | 7:15 PM
Synopsis: The Telangana cabinet has approved the Scheduled Caste sub-categorisation bill, aiming to create three sub-groups within SC reservations based on intra-backwardness, based on the Shameem Akhtar Commission report. The cabinet also discussed increasing Backward Class reservations to 42 percent, a key electoral promise and water disputes with Andhra Pradesh.
The Telangana cabinet, in a key meeting on Thursday, 6 March at the Secretariat in Hyderabad, approved the Scheduled Caste (SC) sub-categorisation proposal.
The decision comes ahead of the 2025 Budget Session, where the state government is expected to table the bill for legislative approval.
The cabinet also discussed the proposed 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) and water-sharing concerns with Andhra Pradesh, particularly regarding the Banakacherla project.
In February, during a special Assembly session, the Congress-led government had released findings from the long-awaited caste census, a key promise made during the 2023 Assembly elections campaign.
The Shameem Akhtar Commission report, which recommended sub-categorisation within SC communities based on intra-backwardness, was also released.
The report proposed creating three sub-groups within SC reservations to ensure equitable distribution of benefits. It also suggested introducing a creamy layer concept to exclude economically well-off individuals, but the Congress government has opted not to implement this measure.
To refine the proposed legislation, the state government extended the tenure of the Shameem Akhtar Commission until 10 March.
This was done to incorporate suggestions from various stakeholders, including Madiga community leader Manda Krishna Madiga. Thursday’s cabinet approval paves the way for its tabling in the assembly.
Another key electoral promise from 2023 was the increasing of BC reservations to 42 percent.
Following the caste census, the Telangana government had reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the policy and sought the support of the Union government. The cabinet is expected to clear the proposal for tabling in the Assembly soon.
Additionally, the Government of Telangana has recently locked heads with Andhra Pradesh regarding the sharing of Godavari’s waters.
Concerns are rising in the state that its share of water is being diverted to the southern neighbour via the ambitious Banakacherla Project. While the issue is still in front of the River Management Board, that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a hot topic.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
