Quota Bill – KCR Says It was a Historic One

Hyderabad, April.16: Stating that the introduction of the Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservations of Seats in Educational Institutions and of appointments or posts in the services under the State) Bill 2017 was an historic moment  similar to achieving separate Telangana state,  the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao  moved  the  Bill  on Sunday in the Legislative Assembly special session.

After introducing the Bill, the Chief Minister stressed its importance and said that the Bill was introduced only following  the recommendations of the Chellappa and Sudhir Commissions,  besides the  BC Commission’s report, and  depending upon the economic status of the Muslims. The Bill was prepared  to include Valmiki Boya and Kayati Lambadas in the STs as several representations have been received  from  people belonging  to those castes. He said that the government was setting up SC Commission separating it from SC, ST Commission to increase their reservation by one more percent. He said that terms of reference would be given to SC Commission.

Making it clear that there won’t be any  danger to the BC reservations, KCR said that the reservations would be increased on par with their population after BC Commission’s report to be submitted within six months’ time.

            Urging the Centre to allow the States to change the reservation system to suit their respective States, KCR said that it was the right  time to introduce the Bill to include it in 9th Schedule on the lines of Tamil Nadu state Act. He said that he will submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 23 on the day Niti Ayog meeting will be held at Delhi, in this regard,  keeping the welfare of the nation.  He said that the Centre has to act with wisdom in this regard.  

Jeevan Reddy

            Participating in the debate, the CLP deputy leader T Jeevan Reddy opined that there was a need for  the political parties to come to a clear policy on Muslim reservation issue. Stating that the Muslim reservation was not  a Religious one, Jeevan Reddy said that   majority of the Muslim population were backward in terms of economics and socially. Reminding that  reservation for Muslims were started by the Congress party, Jeevan Reddy  advised the political parties not to see the reservation from religious  angle. He asked the Chief Minister to convince the centre in this regard. It was not that easy that the centre may easily accept the Bill, Jeevan Reddy expressed his doubt and suggested to  the Chief Minister to use his good offices as TRS extended its support to the Centre in regard to demonetization of big notes, GST Bill etc.

            Finding fault with Jeevan Reddy, KCR said that  reservations will be implemented in Telangana similar to Tamil Nadu’s Act 45 of 94. In case  there any objections, the state government will approach the Supreme Court, he said.

            Continuing his speech, Jeevan Reddy stressed the need for  convincing the centre to include the reservations for Muslims in the  9th schedule of the Constitution. Jeevan Reddy made it clear that the Congress party will extend full support to the state government and stressed the need to initiate steps to implement the 12 percent reservations. On inclusion of Valmiki Boya and Kayati Lambadas in STs, Jeevan Reddy suggested  to the state government to take the Bill forward in an effective manner. He asked the state government to increase the reservation to the SCs and STs without linking the Muslim reservations as it was in the hands of the state