Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announces the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) into three groups based on socio-economic conditions, following the recommendations of a Judicial Commission for equitable implementation of 15% reservation.
Telangana SCs to Be Sub-Classified into Three Groups for Equitable Reservation
Hyderabad, Telangana – In a landmark move to ensure more equitable distribution of reservation benefits, the Telangana government has decided to sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SCs) into three distinct categories. This decision comes after the recommendations of a one-member Judicial Commission led by retired High Court judge Justice Shameem Akhtar. The proposal aims to optimize the implementation of the state’s 15% reservation quota for SC communities.
Key Highlights of the SC Sub-Classification:
- Group I: 15 SC communities identified as the most socio-economically and educationally backward. These communities will receive the highest share of the reservation.
- Group II: Eighteen SC communities with moderate benefits from previous reservations. This group makes up approximately 62.74% of the total SC population and will receive a 9% reservation.
- Group III: This group includes the Mala community, comprising 29.265% of the SC population, who have largely benefited from past reservations. They will receive 5% reservation.
The new categorization is a result of ongoing discussions that have spanned three decades, with the state government deciding to address the issue in alignment with the Supreme Court’s judgment on the matter.
Political Leadership and Historical Context
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, in his statement during the special Assembly session, emphasized that the long-awaited move was a historic moment for the Dalit community in the state. He recalled his own struggles, including being expelled from the Assembly for raising the issue of SC sub-categorization, and expressed satisfaction in seeing the issue resolved.
“This decision is a permanent solution to the problem, as envisioned by the Supreme Court,” stated Reddy. The Chief Minister also reflected on the significant role of the Constitution, particularly the contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, in shaping such decisions.
A Step Toward Equal Opportunity
The newly formed Cabinet Sub-Committee, led by Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, approved the Judicial Commission’s report, which will now be implemented in line with the Supreme Court’s instructions. This move is seen as a major step towards rectifying intra-backwardness among different communities within the SC population.
Manda Krishna Madiga, a prominent leader of the Madiga community and advocate for SC sub-categorization, welcomed the decision, with the community being included in Group II.
With this decision, Telangana becomes the first state in the country to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling on the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes, which is set to bring more justice and balance to the reservation system.
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The sub-classification of Scheduled Castes into three groups is poised to bring more equitable opportunities to Dalits in Telangana. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s leadership in pushing for this historic change marks a significant achievement in the state’s social justice agenda. This reform is not only a step toward fairer resource allocation but also a tribute to the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the enduring spirit of the Indian Constitution.
