Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed officials to develop an action plan to increase the BC (Backward Classes) quota for the forthcoming Local Body Panchayat elections. During a review session at the Secretariat on Monday, the Chief Minister assessed the proposal to enhance the BC quota in local elections. He requested detailed reports on the implementation of reservations in the Panchayat elections and proposals for increasing the quota in the upcoming elections.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister on the procedures followed in the previous Panchayat elections and the current preparations for the forthcoming elections. The CM inquired about the time required to complete the approved Caste Census and conduct local body elections based on its results.
Officials informed the CM that caste censuses were conducted in Karnataka in 2015 and in Bihar in 2023, while the details for Andhra Pradesh have yet to be released. They explained that the caste enumeration format adopted by the central government in 2011 comprises 53 columns, and completing the census, with three additional columns, would take at least five and a half months.
The Chief Minister ordered the preparation of an action plan to increase the BC quota and expedite the elections to avoid delays in the release of central funds to local bodies. The CM held extensive discussions on increasing reservations during the meeting.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Health and Family Welfare Minister Damodara Rajanarasimha, BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Rural Development Minister Sitakka, Finance Minister Konda Surekha, Chief Minister’s Advisor Vem Narender Reddy, MLC Thi Namar Mallanna, former state minister K Janareddy, and BC Commission Chairman Vakulabharanam Krishnamohan shared their views on the feasibility of enhancing reservations.
Former minister Jana Reddy elaborated on the procedures followed in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state for Panchayat elections, Supreme Court cases on BC reservations in local body elections, judgments, and their implications.
In response, CM Revanth Reddy emphasized the need for a timeline for implementing reservations in Panchayat elections. Officials were instructed to consult experts in the Panchayat Raj Act, including Jana Reddy and retired department officials, to address any concerns, and to involve the Advocate General for legal matters. The CM also ordered a study on the implementation of reservations in other states. He announced plans to hold another meeting before the state assembly’s budget session to make a final decision on increasing reservations based on the officials’ report.
Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, CMO Secretary V. Seshadri, Chief Minister’s Secretary Dr. G. Chandrasekhar Reddy, BC Welfare Department Secretary Burra Venkatesham, Panchayat Raj Department Secretary D.S. Lokesh Kumar, Law Department Secretary Rendla Tirupati, and other officials attended the meeting.
