The state will forward the bill to the Centre for parliamentary approval after its passage in the Assembly, marking a crucial step towards fulfilling the Congress party's key poll promise.
Published Feb 13, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 13, 2025 | 9:46 AM
Synopsis: The Telangana government plans to introduce legislation in March providing 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes, with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka announcing that a delegation led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will seek parliamentary approval for the bill. The government will reopen registration from February 16 to 28 for the 3.5 lakh households that missed the initial survey, which has faced criticism from opposition parties who dispute its findings.
The Telangana government will introduce legislation in March to implement 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes in the state, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka announced on Wednesday, 12 February.
The state will forward the bill to the Centre for parliamentary approval after its passage in the Assembly, marking a crucial step towards fulfilling the Congress party’s key poll promise.
“A delegation led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will meet the Prime Minister and leaders across party lines in Delhi to garner support for the bill’s passage in Parliament. We are committed to realising the decades-long dream of Backward Classes,” Vikramarka told mediapersons.
The proposed legislation aims to secure Backward Class representation in educational institutions and political bodies, building upon the recently completed caste census that covered 96.7 percent of Telangana’s 3.7 crore population.
The move comes after Revanth Reddy’s recent assurance in the Assembly that his government would implement the 42 percent Backward Class quota in local bodies even without constitutional amendments if necessary.
The government will reopen the registration process from February 16 to 28 for the nearly 3.5 lakh households that missed the initial survey. Citizens can either dial a toll-free number to schedule home visits by officials or register their details at mandal offices. An online registration facility will also be available.
Vikramarka highlighted that the comprehensive household survey, conducted by over one lakh staff, stands unprecedented in scale across India. The census revealed that Backward Classes, excluding Muslims, constitute 46.25 percent of the state’s population at 1.64 crore, while Backward Class Muslims account for an additional 10.08 percent.
Taking aim at the opposition, the Deputy Chief Minister alleged that former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his son KT Rama Rao were among those who “intentionally” skipped the survey. The BRS leadership has contested the census findings, claiming they show a lower Backward Class population compared to their previous estimates of 51 percent.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
