Telangana's Quota Quest: The Push for Increased BC Reservations

Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has sent an ordinance to the President seeking to increase backward class reservations in local body polls to 42%. The move is significant given a looming court-directed election deadline. The ordinance, along with related bills, awaits Presidential assent as political activities intensify.

Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has forwarded an ordinance to the President. This ordinance aims to increase reservations for backward classes in local body elections to 42%, as confirmed by official sources on Friday.

The ordinance seeks to amend the Panchayat Raj Act following a Congress government pledge to boost the BC quota ahead of the 2023 assembly elections. The amendment proposes raising the quota from 23% to 42%, reinforcing Congress's electoral promises.

This measure holds considerable importance, as the High Court has mandated the state government and the State Election Commission to conduct and finalize Gram Panchayat elections by September 30. Meanwhile, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Congress leaders are mobilizing, set to protest at Jantar Mantar for swift Presidential approval of the BC quota bills in education, employment, and local governance.

(With inputs from agencies.)