On Wednesday, the Telangana High Court directed the state government to constitute an independent commission to determine reservations for backward classes.
The state government recently issued an order directing the Backward Classes Welfare Commission to assess socioeconomic and political representation across the government and private sectors. The Commission began statewide public hearings on Tuesday as part of this exercise.
Last month, the state government constituted the Commission, and senior Congress leader G. Niranjan was appointed chairman. The commission was asked to determine the reservations for BC communities in local bodies after enumerating the percentage of backward-class communities in the population. As per the GO, the BC Commission will assess socioeconomic and political representation for one month and submit its report.
Backward Classes leader and former MP R. Krishnaiah challenged the government order in the High Court. His counsel submitted that entrusting the task to the BC Commission violated the Supreme Court order.
The court was also informed that the Bombay High Court struck down a similar order issued in Maharashtra.
Krishnaiah’s counsel, former Advocate General B.S. Prasad, submitted to the High Court that if a similar situation arises in Telangana after the Commission submits its report, it would be a waste of time. Hence, he sought orders to the government to constitute a special Commission.
Congress promised to implement 42 percent reservations for the Backward Classes in the Panchayat Raj elections.
Krishnaiah recently wrote a letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to implement the poll promise. He said that the government cannot avoid enhancing reservations for BCs, citing legal issues or the Supreme Court ceiling on 50 percent reservations. He said the Assembly can pass a resolution and implement 42 percent reservation in the local body elections, which has been a Congress promise.
IANS
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