The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR government reaches out to Backward Classes

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Tuesday, Aug 05, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR government reaches out to Backward Classes

Special Correspondent

Resolves to provide 33% quota in Assembly and Council

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government resolved to reach out to the Backward Classes ahead of the general elections next year by resolving to provide 33 per cent reservation in the Legislative Assembly and Council.

A meeting of the State Cabinet here on Monday decided that a resolution would be introduced by the Government in the Legislature during the upcoming monsoon session urging upon the Union Government to bring about a legislation providing for one-third reservation for BCs.

The Government’s justification for this move is that the BCs who constitute over 50 per cent of the State’s population, must be provided their due share in the law-making bodies. The proposal for introducing the quota, which was mooted by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, was unanimously approved by the Council of Ministers.

Briefing reporters later, Information Minister A. Ramanarayan Reddy denied that this was a political move aimed at neutralising the possible impact of film actor Chiranjeevi’s new party that is already wooing the BCs and to dispel the feeling that the Congress was anti-BC.

Mr. Ramnarayan Reddy maintained in response to another question that the 33 per cent reservation proposed for women at the Central level would not be in conflict with the quota being planned. The women’s quota could be adjusted within the seats meant for BCs depending on the population of women.

The Cabinet resolved to include six more Backward Castes in the State BCs list to allow reservation benefit to them in education and employment. They were Are Vallu, Bondali, Are Marathi (Surabhi Natakalavallu), Neeli, Rajannala and Baria.

It also decided to refer to the National Scheduled Tribes Commission, the plea made by Rajakas, Vadderas and Valmikis for inclusion in ST list.

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