Hyderabad: The Telangana State Legislative Assembly on Sunday passed the Telangana Reservation Bill enhancing quota for BC-E category from 4% to 12% and ST reservation from 6% to 10%.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao introduced the Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Bill, 2017 during the Special Session of Assembly on Sunday.
While the Congress and MIM supported the Bill, BJP members opposed it and were also suspended from the House for obstructing the proceedings.
Speaking on the Bill, the Chief Minister said that the State Government was not introducing any new reservation, but enhancing the percentage of quota for communities which are already enjoying reservation. He said that the quota was being enhanced to fulfill one of the major election promises that he had made with the people.
He said due procedure was followed to implement the enhanced quota. He said that BC and ST Commissions, after conducting a study on socio-economic status of BC-E and ST communities, have recommended increase in quota and the same was accepted by the government.
KCR said that there was a need to increase the quota for Scheduled Castes by 1% to take it to 16% which would in proportionate to the SC population in Telangana State.
Similarly, he said that the quota for Backward Classes would be enhanced and the BC Commission has already been assigned the task to conduct a comprehensive study on the socio-economic status of BC communities and come up with recommendations to increase the quota.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence of overcoming all legal hurdles to implement the enhanced quota which touched 62% as against the 50% ceiling set by the Supreme Court as per Indira Sawhney’s judgment. He said that there were five States in the country, including Tamil Nadu, which are implementing more than 50% quota.
He said that the Supreme Court has allowed more than 50% quota under special circumstances which he claimed prevail in Telangana State.
KCR appealed to the Central Government to include the Telangana Reservation Bill in the 9th Schedule of Constitution to give it legal immunity. He contended that the quota for BC-E Muslims and STs have been increased not for political gains, but to ensure social justice and inclusive growth of all communities.
He said that the State Government would take up the matter with the Centre and in case the Union Government refuses to support the Reservation Bill, then it would approach the Supreme Court.
He also dismissed fears that the enhanced 8% quota might affect the existing 4% Muslim quota under BC-E category. (INN)