BRS MLC Kavitha demands clarity on BC quota in local body polls

Criticises the Congress government for merely repeating previous statements without announcing concrete steps on the issue

Hyderabad: BRS MLC K Kavitha on Tuesday demanded a clarification from the Congress government regarding its promise to increase reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections. She wanted the government to clarify whether local body elections would be conducted only after increasing BC reservations.

Participating in a discussion in the Legislative Council on the recent caste census in Telangana, Kavitha criticised the government for merely repeating previous statements without announcing concrete steps.

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“Everyone expected the government to outline its next course of action on the caste census. Instead, it simply reiterated what Cabinet Sub-Committee chairman Uttam Kumar Reddy said in a press conference two days ago. What is the use of such an announcement in the Council?” she questioned.

Criticising the government’s stance on BC and BC Muslim population in the State, the BRS MLC said the data was being manipulated to underestimate the actual numbers. She found fault with the government’s claims that there was no definite data.

“The 2011 Census is available, and global and national trends suggest a 13.5 per cent population increase per decade. By that estimate, Telangana’s population should now be 4.18 crore. However, the government’s survey shows a decline in SC, ST, and BC populations, while indicating an increase in the OC population. How can only one category grow while others shrink?” she asked.

Raising concerns over the survey’s accuracy, Kavitha pointed out that many people complained that enumerators never visited their homes. “The government must explain what steps it is taking to re-survey and collect missing data,” she demanded.