Hyderabad: Telangana Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar said the SC sub-categorisation law implemented in the State marked a historic milestone in the pursuit of social justice for the Scheduled Caste community.
He made the remarks at a felicitation programme organised by the Madiga Employees Coordination Committee at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad on Friday.
Members of the organisation praised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for implementing the SC sub-categorisation law, describing it as a long-awaited reform for the Madiga community.
Addressing the gathering, Laxman Kumar said the legislation had been enacted in accordance with the Supreme Court’s judgment.
He said the measure would remain a defining moment in the social justice history of the community.
According to the minister, Revanth Reddy became the first leader in the country to give statutory effect to the SC sub-categorisation law.
“Despite numerous hurdles, political pressures and administrative challenges, the Chief Minister stood firmly by his word and ensured that the long-pending demand of the Madiga community was translated into law,” the minister said.
The felicitation programme was organised to express gratitude to the Chief Minister for implementing the classification law.
Implementation steps under SC sub-categorisation law
Laxman Kumar said the government had already begun steps to operationalise the SC sub-categorisation law.
He said a ministerial sub-committee headed by Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha had been constituted to oversee the implementation.
In addition, the government established a dedicated office at Tourism Plaza in Hyderabad to ensure smooth execution of the sub-categorisation framework.
The minister said the Madiga community would remain indebted to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for fulfilling a decades-old aspiration.
He also announced that a massive thanksgiving rally involving lakhs of Madigas would soon be organised to honour the Chief Minister.
During the programme, he urged the Chief Minister to reconstruct the dilapidated Kachiguda hostel and rename it after national leader Babu Jagjivan Ram.
He also raised concern about the deteriorating condition of Ambedkar Bhavan at Lower Tank Bund in Hyderabad.
Recalling his recent visit to the site, the minister said the building and even the foundation plaques installed by previous governments had fallen into disrepair.
Therefore, he appealed to the government to initiate reconstruction of the facility before the birth anniversary of Dr B. R. Ambedkar on April 14.
He suggested developing Ambedkar Bhavan into a national-level centre with study halls, accommodation facilities and training centres.
Benefits of SC sub-categorisation law highlighted
Laxman Kumar said the SC sub-categorisation law had already started delivering benefits.
According to him, after implementation of the policy, 772 Madiga candidates secured positions as doctors and engineers.
He added that the recruitment process under the new system had opened employment opportunities for thousands of candidates.
These included around 16,000 posts under Group-II services and nearly 10,000 positions under Group-III services.
The minister credited Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for enabling these opportunities through the SC sub-categorisation law.
Speaking emotionally about his personal journey, Laxman Kumar said he was born in a Harijanwada and faced caste discrimination during his childhood.
However, he said the Congress party later gave him opportunities to serve the people.
He served as SC Corporation Chairman, District Parishad Chairman and later as a Government Whip.
Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister, he said Revanth Reddy inducted him into the State Cabinet with cabinet rank and allowed him to serve in the council of ministers.
The minister also appreciated Madiga employees who attended the felicitation programme despite official duties under the Praja Palana programme.
He noted that several employees had obtained permission from their respective district collectors to attend the event.
Concluding his speech, Laxman Kumar reiterated the community’s support for the Chief Minister.
“We are Madigas, who stand by our word. We value commitment. If someone does good for us, we will carry them on our shoulders,” he said.