KTR calls for immediate caste census, warns of protests

He warned of Statewide protests if the Congress government failed to meet its commitments to BCs by November 10

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao demanded that the State government conduct a comprehensive caste census immediately and bring out a legislation to ensure 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections, as promised by the Congress.

He warned of Statewide protests if the Congress government failed to meet its commitments to BCs by November 10.

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Rama Rao along with Leader of Opposition in the Council S Madhusudhana Chari chaired a three-and-half hour meeting with BRS BC leaders at Telangana Bhavan on Wednesday.

The meeting, attended by the Telangana Sarpanch Association and Telangana MPTC District Association, focused on the Congress’s failure to honour the promises made to weaker sections in the BC Declaration of Kamareddy, announced last November.

He stressed that the BRS party would hold the Congress accountable for every promise made to the BC community.

“We do not need just rhetoric, action is required. If the government does not address these issues by November 10, we will launch a series of protests,” he said, adding that an action plan would be announced in consultation with party chief K Chandrashekhar Rao.

The BRS working president also criticised the Congress for its budgetary allocation to BCs. He reminded that the Congress pledged to allocate Rs 1 lakh crore for BC welfare over five years, but allocated only Rs.8,000 crore in the current financial year.

He demanded that at least Rs.25,000-30,000 crore should be earmarked for BC welfare in the upcoming budget. He demanded the immediate formation of a dedicated department for BCs and the appointment of a Minister for the most backward classes (MBCs).

“Only two Ministers in the State Cabinet belong to the BC community. This is insufficient, and more Ministerial positions must be given to BC leaders,” he asserted.

Rama Rao also raised concerns about the plight of weaker sections, particularly the suicides of 22 weavers due to unfulfilled government orders, and the halt in the distribution of fishlings, which affected fishermen’s livelihoods.

Reaffirming the BRS’ commitment to BC rights, he said the party had consistently allocated more seats to BC candidates in the past elections than any other party. BRS had sent four BC members to the Rajya Sabha and appointed 27 BC leaders as corporation chairpersons out of 50 positions.

Rama Rao reminded that former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao conducted a comprehensive family survey in 24 hours. “If the government is sincere, conducting a caste census should not be difficult.

The current government’s inaction shows a lack of commitment,” he said, adding that the BRS was ready to support the Congress government if the latter conducted the caste census.

The BRS would form working groups with senior BC leaders to focus on specific challenges faced by weaker sections. The party members would also conduct field visits to assess the conditions.