Minister Urges Youth to Plant Saplings, CM Orders BC Quota Review

Telangana Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar encouraged youth to plant saplings during the Vanamahotsavam program at Satavahana University. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed officials to devise an action plan to increase the BC quota in upcoming local body elections, emphasizing timely execution to ensure central funds release.

Telangana Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday urged students and youth to plant saplings to protect the environment. Participating in the Vanamahotsavam program at Satavahana University in Karimnagar, the Minister planted saplings on the university premises. Karimnagar Additional Collector Praful Desai also attended the program.

Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy ordered officials to prepare an action plan to increase the Backward Classes (BC) quota in the forthcoming local body Panchayat elections. During a review at the Secretariat, the CM assessed the feasibility of enhancing BC reservations. BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar was also present at the meeting.

The CM instructed officials to provide details on the implementation of the existing reservation system and the proposal for the quota increase. Officials outlined the procedures followed in the previous Panchayat elections and the preparations for the upcoming ones. The CM sought information on the timeline required to complete the caste census and conduct elections based on its findings.

Officials noted that Karnataka conducted a caste census in 2015 and Bihar in 2023, with the details from Andhra Pradesh still pending. They explained that the 2011 central government caste enumeration format has 53 columns and an additional three columns would extend the census duration to over five months. CM Reddy emphasized the need for a prompt action plan to increase the BC quota and expedite the elections to ensure the quick release of central funds for local bodies.