Hyderabad: Increase SC reservations to 18 percent immediately and pass an Assembly resolution during the ongoing Budget Session, Telangana Jagruthi president K. Kavitha demanded on Monday.
She said the Scheduled Caste population in the state had risen from 15 percent to 18 percent. Therefore, she argued that reservations must reflect the revised population figures without further delay.
Kavitha held a meeting with leaders of various SC sub-castes at the Telangana Jagruthi office in Banjara Hills. Representatives of 20 SC sub-castes attended the meeting.
Increase SC reservations based on revised population data
Addressing the gathering, Kavitha said the rise in the SC population was reflected in the earlier Comprehensive Family Survey. She added that the recent Social, Economic, Political and Caste Census conducted by the present government also confirmed the increase.
She recalled that the state government had earlier assured enhancement of reservations after the completion of the Central government’s Census and release of official data. The assurance, she said, was linked to the implementation of SC categorisation.
In view of these commitments, she asserted that the Assembly must now move forward and pass a resolution to increase SC reservations. She maintained that any further delay would defeat the purpose of categorisation.
Kavitha stressed that the benefits of enhanced reservations must reach all SC sub-castes. Moreover, she said reservations should extend beyond education and employment into the political sphere as well.
Increase SC reservations and address sub-caste issues
Reaffirming Telangana Jagruthi’s stand, Kavitha said the organisation would stand firmly with SC sub-castes in their struggle. She added that the group would work towards resolving long-pending issues affecting these communities.
Additionally, she assured that she would make sincere efforts to address difficulties faced by certain SC sub-castes in obtaining caste certificates. She described the issue as a major concern for many families.
Kavitha further announced that Telangana Jagruthi would launch a sustained movement to increase SC reservations. The campaign, she said, would be carried out in coordination with Dalit organisations.
Earlier in the day, she strongly condemned the preventive arrests of unemployed youth. She alleged that the arrests were made to prevent them from obstructing the visit of Rahul Gandhi.