"gram-panchayat-elections"

Community organisations in Hyderabad staged a protest at Dharna Chowk demanding the Congress government legally extend 42 percent reservations to Backward Classes (BCs) and present the Bill in Parliament. Former Minister V Srinivas Goud accused the Congress of deceiving the BC community despite promises in its manifesto and assurances from Rahul Gandhi.

A police Sub-Inspector from Kodad has resigned from service to contest the upcoming gram panchayat elections as sarpanch of his native Gudibanda village in Suryapet district. He emphasised his commitment to village development and prioritising service to his birthplace.

The Backward Classes Students’ Joint Action Committee staged a protest in Nalgonda demanding the resignation of BC legislators for failing to secure adequate reservation benefits. The agitation is expected to intensify regardless of the election schedule.

The second day of nominations for gram panchayats and wards in Telangana witnessed a significant turnout, with 4,901 nominations for panchayats and 9,643 for wards. The deadline for filing nominations is Saturday, while withdrawals are allowed until December 3.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s district tour from December 1, coinciding with the Gram Panchayat poll nominations, has stirred political debate. As he addresses public meetings and launches development works, Congress leaders insist the tour is unrelated to elections and confined to urban limits

The Telangana Backward Classes Commission has objected to the reduction of BC reservations in Gram Panchayat elections, urging the State government to keep the polls in abeyance until errors are rectified. Chairman G. Niranjan and Commission Members highlighted that while BCs received 22.78 percent reservations in 2019, the figure has now dropped to 21.39 percent despite a household survey.

National Backward Classes JAC Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP R Krishnaiah has accused the Congress government of deceiving backward classes by issuing GOMs 46, which he claims undermines BC interests. Addressing a protest at Gun Park in Hyderabad, he demanded reinstatement of GOMs 9 and extension of reservations to BCs.

The Panchayat Raj and Rural Employment Department in Telangana has established a dedicated legal cell to handle court cases related to gram panchayat elections.Three Superintendents have been deployed to assist exclusively with election-related cases.

On the opening day of nominations for the first phase of gram panchayat elections in Telangana, 3,242 nominations were filed for panchayats and 1,821 for wards, totalling 5,063. Yadadri Bhongir district recorded the highest number of nominations at 209.

The Congress government in Telangana has allotted only 45.41 percent of gram panchayat seats to women, falling short of the mandated 50 percent under the Panchayat Raj Act. This is lower than the 49.09 percent extended by the previous BRS government in 2019.

In Sangareddy, most gram panchayats along NH-65, NH-161 and other major roads have been placed under the open category in the upcoming elections, limiting opportunities for backward classes. These panchayats, known for real estate ventures, industries and illegal sand mining, are seen as lucrative hubs for local leaders.

The nomination process for the first phase of gram panchayat elections commenced in Khammam and Kothagudem districts on Thursday. A total of 192 gram panchayats and 1,740 wards in Khammam, and 159 gram panchayats with 1,436 wards in Kothagudem, have been notified.

BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar defended the Congress government’s efforts to extend 42 percent reservations for Backward Classes, blaming BJP and BRS for obstructing the move. He said the Supreme Court’s directions prevented implementation despite the party’s commitment.

K.T. Rama Rao criticised the Congress government over the revised BC reservation pattern for gram panchayat polls, alleging it reduced the quota to 17 per cent despite promising 42 per cent. He also questioned the Rs 160-crore caste census expenditure and highlighted district-level disparities.

The Congress government in Telangana has come under fire for offering only 17 percent reservations to Backward Classes (BCs) in panchayat elections, despite promising 42 percent in its Kamareddy Declaration. A GO Ms 9 providing 42 percent quota was stayed by the High Court, citing the Supreme Court’s 50 percent cap on reservations.

The State Election Commission (SEC) has announced gram panchayat elections in Telangana to be held in three phases on December 11, 14, and 17. The Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect across 12,728 panchayats, excluding 32 under High Court stay orders.

As the Congress government prepares for Praja Palana celebrations, former Sarpanches in Telangana have announced protests at Gram Panchayat Offices from December 1 to 9, demanding clearance of pending bills worth Rs 531 crore and implementation of 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes in panchayat elections.

The Telangana government has issued new reservation guidelines for Gram Panchayat elections through GO Ms 46, ensuring quotas stay within the 50% limit. The High Court will resume hearing the matter on Monday, with the election schedule likely on November 25 or 26

The Telangana State Election Commission has announced a detailed schedule for the preparation and republication of ward-wise photo electoral rolls ahead of the Gram Panchayat elections. District Panchayat Officers have been instructed to rectify voter mis-mapping and incorporate valid changes before final publication.

The Congress government in Telangana announced the distribution of one crore Indiramma sarees to women across the State, beginning Wednesday. The scheme, timed with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, will be rolled out in two phases, villages by December 9 and urban areas from March 1 to 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day.