The Telangana Cabinet has decided to table three Bills related to Scheduled Caste (SC) sub-classification and Backward Classes (BC) reservations on March 6.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, who briefed the media on the decisions taken in a six-hour-long marathon Cabinet meeting, said that the Cabinet has approved a draft bill on SC sub-categorisation based on the Justice Shameem Akhtar Commission's recommendations. It was decided to table the SC sub-categorisation Bill in the upcoming Budget session of the Assembly.
The Cabinet also approved a Bill to increase reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies from 37% to 42%, as promised by the Congress before the 2023 Assembly polls. Another Bill was approved for 42% reservations for BCs in public education and government jobs.
The Cabinet also discussed the proposed delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies, and expressed the view that the BJP was conspiring against south India through delimitation. The Cabinet decided to hold an all-party meeting on the delimitation issue, and demand the Union government to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats in south India.
Earlier in February, the Justice Shameem Akhtar Commission had recommended that the 59 sub-castes among the SCs in Telangana be divided into three groups, splitting the 15% SC reservation into three sub-categories.
Ahead of the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections, Congress had promised to extend reservations to marginalised communities in proportion to their population in education, employment and welfare schemes. The party had also promised to increase the BC reservations in local bodies from 23% to 42%, and to implement 42% BC reservation in government civil construction and maintenance contracts.
Once the BC local bodies reservation Bill is passed by the state Legislature, it will be sent to the Union government, and an earlier Bill for 37% BC reservation awaiting clearance will be withdrawn, Minister Ponguleti said.
As per the Socio, Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste Survey carried out in November and December 2024, 56.33% of the state’s population belongs to Backward Classes. This includes Hindus, Muslims, and members of Scheduled Castes who have converted to Christianity.
However, these figures have been contested by BC groups and opposition parties, alleging deliberate undercounting of BCs in the survey.
The Cabinet also decided to develop a ‘Future City’ on 30,000 acres of land, between Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam Highways. It decided to create the Future Development Authority (FCDA) as well. This will cover seven mandals and 56 villages.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, approved the transfer of 36 villages from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to FCDA. It also sanctioned 90 posts for FCDA, covering both regular and outsourced roles.
The Cabinet approved the expansion of HMDA limits up to the Regional Ring Road. The HMDA now covers 11 districts, 104 mandals, and 1,355 villages. It was also decided to bring 332 revenue villages under HMDA.
It was also decided to bring all Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under one umbrella. The retirement age for SHG members was raised from 60 to 65 years. The minimum age to join SHGs was lowered from 18 to 15 years. It decided to make one crore women into ‘lakhpatis’.
The Cabinet approved a new tourism policy, under which 27 special tourism zones will be developed. It aims to attract Rs 15,000 crore in investments over the next five years. This is expected to generate three lakh jobs in the tourism sector.
The Cabinet decided that Telangana will host the 72nd Miss World, ensuring top-tier hospitality and a seamless experience for all participants and guests. Spanning four weeks from May 7 to May 31, the global event will be held across multiple destinations in the state, reflecting Telangana's heritage.
(With IANS inputs)
