BRS extends support to BC reservation Bill

Former Minister Harish Rao further stressed that the BRS was committed not only to proposing the Bill in the Assembly but also fighting for it in New Delhi

Hyderabad: Announcing the Bharat Rashtra Samithi‘s (BRS) support to the BC reservation Bill, former Minister T Harish Rao demanded that the Congress government provide 42 percent reservations for BCs in government contracts as well.

There were many initiatives that could be taken up by the Congress government, which do not require the Centre’s approval, he said in the Assembly on Monday.

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As promised in its manifesto, the Congress government should implement a BC Sub-Plan. It must follow the carry-forward mechanism used successfully for SC and ST Sub-Plans under the BRS government rule. It should also allocate Rs.20,000 crore for BC welfare in the upcoming State budget, ensuring financial support for BC development, he demanded.

Harish Rao further stressed that the BRS was committed not only to proposing the Bill in the Assembly but also fighting for it in New Delhi. “Rahul Gandhi heads a party with 100 MPs. We call upon him to strongly champion this Bill at the national level and in Parliament so that it can become a reality,” Harish Rao said, pointing out that the previous BRS government had provided 50 percent reservations for BCs in Market Committee Chairperson and Director posts. Similarly, the first-ever reservation for Goud communities in liquor shop licenses was also implemented during the BRS government.

Earlier, former BC Welfare Minister Gangula Kamalakar said the BRS was wholeheartedly extending support to the Bill presented by BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar.

“I am prepared to stage a hunger strike in New Delhi, if Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and BC Minister Ponnam Prabhakar join me in ensuring that the Centre amends laws and approves 42 percent reservation to BCs,” Kamalakar said.