Hyderabad: In a historic and politically significant move, the Telangana Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, has approved a groundbreaking proposal to extend 42% reservation to Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections. The decision, taken during an intense five-hour-long cabinet meeting held on Thursday, not only underscores the government’s commitment to social justice but also aims to fulfill a key pre-poll promise made to the BC communities of the state.
The Cabinet’s decision comes in the wake of a directive from the Telangana High Court on June 25, which mandated that the reservation process be completed within one month and that elections to local bodies be conducted by September 30. This directive had created a sense of urgency within the state administration, prompting the government to act swiftly and decisively. By approving this proposal, the Telangana government has signaled its intent to strengthen grassroots democracy through greater BC representation.
Addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, Revenue and Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, along with BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, emphasized that the government’s decision aligns with the principles of social justice and constitutional equality. The ministers underscored that this move is not only a political strategy but also a moral imperative aimed at uplifting marginalized communities who have historically been underrepresented in governance structures.
The ministers highlighted that the 42% reservation figure was not arbitrarily chosen but is instead based on comprehensive empirical data. The state government had conducted a detailed caste survey and submitted its findings to the BC Commission, which then recommended the reservation percentage. According to Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, BCs constitute approximately 56% of Telangana’s total population, thereby justifying a substantial quota in local governance structures.
This decision will be implemented through an ordinance, an approach adopted to meet the High Court’s strict timeline. The ordinance route allows the state to bypass delays associated with legislative processes, ensuring that the upcoming panchayat elections can be conducted as per schedule, with enhanced representation for BCs. The Cabinet also approved necessary amendments to the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, to facilitate this new reservation policy.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Telangana has taken steps to bolster reservations for BCs. In March, two bills were passed in the Telangana Assembly to provide 42% reservation for BCs in education, employment, and local bodies. However, these bills were sent to the Centre for constitutional amendments, and their implementation was pending. The urgency created by the High Court directive has pushed the state to now opt for the ordinance route, prioritizing immediate action over procedural delays.
Minister Prabhakar elaborated on the classification and distribution of these reservations. The government plans to treat gram panchayats, sarpanchs, and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) as mandal units. Meanwhile, Mandal Parishad Presidents (MPPs) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) will be considered district units, and Zilla Parishad chairpersons will be treated as the state unit. This classification will guide the finalization of BC reservations across different tiers of local governance, ensuring equitable representation at all levels.
The decision also aligns closely with the Congress party’s broader political narrative. During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had reiterated the party’s commitment to increasing representation and empowering Backward Classes. The Cabinet’s move is thus widely seen as a fulfillment of this electoral promise, reinforcing the party’s credibility among its core voter base.
While the Supreme Court’s 50% cap on total reservations has often been a contentious issue across states, Telangana’s ministers argue that this cap is not inviolable. They pointed out that the 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) introduced by the Centre had already breached this limit, and states like Tamil Nadu have managed to sustain reservation levels exceeding 60%. The Advocate General of Telangana, who attended the Cabinet meeting, advised that the state government is on strong legal footing to implement this policy. The Cabinet expressed confidence that their decision would withstand any potential legal challenges, ensuring that BC representation in local bodies is not compromised.
Beyond reservations, the Cabinet also discussed several other pressing issues concerning the state’s development and governance. Notably, a notification was approved for the recruitment of 17,084 additional government jobs, supplementing the 60,000 posts that had already been sanctioned earlier. This massive recruitment drive is expected to significantly reduce unemployment in the state, providing new opportunities to thousands of young aspirants. It also underscores the government’s broader commitment to economic empowerment alongside social justice.
The Telangana government has appealed to all political parties, regardless of ideological affiliations, to extend support to this historic reservation move. Ministers urged parties to prioritize the greater good of social justice over political differences to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the upcoming panchayat elections. The call for unity is seen as an attempt to prevent unnecessary political polarization around the reservation issue.
Reactions to the Cabinet’s decision have been mixed but largely positive among BC organizations and social justice activists. Many have hailed the move as a long-overdue corrective measure to address historical inequities. On the other hand, legal and political analysts have pointed out that the state might face challenges in the Supreme Court or from other quarters opposing the breach of the 50% reservation ceiling. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how this policy unfolds on the ground, especially as the state gears up for panchayat polls before the September 30 deadline.
