Synopsis
A one-member Judicial Commission in Telangana has recommended sub-classification of Scheduled Castes into three categories to implement a 15% reservation. The Chief Minister supports this initiative, emphasizing its historical significance and the long-standing demand for SC sub-categorization.Key Takeaways
- Sub-classification of SCs into three groups proposed.
- Group I: 15 most backward SCs with 1% reservation.
- Group II: 18 moderately benefitted SCs with 9% reservation.
- Group III: 26 SCs with 5% reservation.
- Movement for SC sub-categorization spans over three decades.
Hyderabad, Feb 5 (NationPress) A one-member Judicial Commission, led by retired High Court judge Justice Shameem Akhtar, has put forth a proposal for the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Telangana into three distinct groups to ensure fair application of the 15 percent reservation. According to the report presented by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy during a special assembly session on Tuesday, a total of 59 SC communities have been categorized into three groups. Group I consists of 15 SC communities that are socially, economically, and educationally the most disadvantaged. According to the 2011 census, they represent 3.288 percent of the SC population, and the Commission has suggested a one percent reservation for them.
Eighteen SC communities that have seen moderate benefits are classified as Group II, making up 62.74 percent of the total SC population, with a recommendation of nine percent reservation for them.
Group III includes 26 SC communities that have largely benefitted from reservation, accounting for 33.963 percent of the SC population, with a five percent reservation suggested for them.
The Madiga community, whose leader Manda Krishna Madiga has been a frontrunner in the movement for SC sub-categorization, is placed in Group II, constituting 61.967 percent of the total SC population.
The notable Malas community is categorized in Group III, alongside Mala Ayawaru, together making up 29.265 percent of the SC population.
The Chief Minister highlighted in the assembly that the demand for SC sub-categorization has persisted for three decades.
He stated that the state government aims to arrive at a definitive solution based on the Supreme Court's ruling.
Claiming that the Congress party has afforded numerous opportunities to Dalits, he noted that this day is among the most fulfilling in his two-decade political journey.
“I am elated to have this chance. This will remain a significant milestone in history,” remarked the Chief Minister.
Reflecting on his previous expulsion from the assembly for advocating for SC sub-categorization, Revanth Reddy expressed that as the leader of the House, he is now making strides towards implementing this sub-categorization, crediting the achievement to the Constitution authored by Babasaheb Ambedkar.
The Judicial Commission submitted its report to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Monday, which was then approved prior to being presented in the assembly.
This Sub-Committee, established on September 12, 2024, is chaired by Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, with Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha serving as co-chairman, aiming to execute the Supreme Court's order on SC sub-classification.
Upon the sub-committee's recommendation, the state government appointed a one-member judicial commission led by former High Court judge Justice Shameem Akhtar in October.
The Commission evaluated the intra-backwardness among various castes within the SCs and reviewed the ruling from the seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court regarding the sub-classification within SC reserved categories.
Welcoming the August 1 ruling from the Supreme Court, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced in the assembly that Telangana would be the inaugural state to actualize this.
