Telangana CM Revanth cautions BCs about plans of BJP, BRS to scuttle higher quota for them 

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy speaking at the Akhila Bharatha Padmashali Mahasabha at Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has urged the Backward Classes (BCs) to be cautious about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) that are trying to scuttle the State government’s decision to implement 42% reservations for BCs in education and employment.

Criticism of the two parties about the caste census conducted by the government, the first since 1931, is indicative of their efforts to create obstacles in the implementation of enhanced quota for BCs in proportion to their population. The two parties are afraid that BCs will seek their share in power once the 42% quota is implemented, he said.

“The two parties are finding fault with the numbers revealed by the caste census but shying away when asked to show proof. You (BCs) should be aware as you will not get the enhanced quota if this opportunity is missed,” he said, addressing a public meeting organised by the Akhil Bharata Padmashali Sabha here on Sunday.

He said the caste census had revealed that BCs constituted 56.33% of the population and the government had accordingly decided to pass a resolution in the Assembly seeking 42% quota for them in education and employment. The Samagra Kutumba Survey (SKS) conducted by the previous BRS government pegged their number at 51%.

According to the SKS, the upper castes comprised 21% population while the intensive door-to-door caste survey revealed their number to be at 15.28%. The caste survey carried out by the Telangana government turned out to be a role model for the entire country and received appreciation from the Opposition leader in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Mr. Gandhi had even referred to the Telangana model at a couple of public meetings recently and asserted that the Congress would remove the 50% cap on reservation after coming to power.

“But you should be cautious about the efforts to scuttle the process,” he told the BCs.

The Chief Minister said the government understood the problems of the weavers community and had decided to encourage them with incentives like placing orders for sarees proposed to be distributed to self-help group women twice a year. “With over 65 lakh members, the order will be worth about ₹600 crore every year,” he said, recalling how the previous government distributed poor-quality sarees under Bathukamma Saree scheme.