Will respond after receiving High Court order copy: Congress Ministers

BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the Telangana government will decide its next steps, including legal measures, after receiving the High Court order on the stay of local body election notification. Ministers reiterated commitment to 42 percent BC reservations

Hyderabad: BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the State government would announce its future course of action, including legal measures, after receiving the High Court order copy on Thursday’s stay on the local body election notification.

“On behalf of the State government, strong arguments were made in court. We did not expect that the court would issue stay orders,” Prabhakar said in a statement here on Thursday.

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He said the government had conducted a caste survey, constituted a dedicated commission and a cabinet sub-committee, passed bills in both the Assembly and Council, and amended the Panchayat Raj Act 2018, reiterating that the State government was committed to providing 42 percent reservations to BCs.

“Congress is a champion for social justice. Why did BRS and BJP not implead in the court?” Prabhakar asked.

Sports Minister V Srihari said the entire Telangana was aware of who was opposing 42 percent reservations for BCs. “We are committed to providing 42 percent reservations. We will soon chalk out the future course of action. BCs should not get disheartened,” he added, also demanding that BRS and BJP implead in the case, failing which they would be considered against enhancing reservations for BCs.