26 omitted BC castes seek reinstatement in T'gana list

Time of India

a day ago

Hyderabad: As many as 26 Backward Caste communities, which were dropped from the BC list after the formation of Telangana in 2014, have received another opportunity to make their case for reinstatement.
The Telangana Commission for Backward Classes held a three-day public hearing at its Khairatabad office from June 9, following a broader call for representations that remained open from May 31 to June 13.
During this period, over 133 representations were received and examined. Among those who made submissions were Kukatpally MLA Madhavaram Krishna Rao (Telangana) and Amadalavalasa MLA Koona Ravi Kumar (Andhra Pradesh).
Representatives from several caste associations—including Kalinga, Turpu Kapu, Pondara, Settibalija, Koppulavelama, and Polnativelama—also deposed before the commission, urging the restoration of their caste names in the state BC list.
Commission chairman G Niranjan told TOI that the case regarding the 26 castes is already before the Supreme Court. "We will soon submit a report to the apex court. Even the earlier BC Commission under the former BRS govt examined the issue.
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We are reviewing all the current representations and will submit our recommendation accordingly," he said.
However, the demand for reinstatement has drawn opposition from groups such as the Telangana BC protection committee and Telangana Pradesh Gangaputra Sangham, who have petitioned the commission not to re-include the 26 castes in the BC list.
The controversy dates back to Aug 14, 2014, when the then BRS govt issued GO No.
3, listing only 112 BC castes for Telangana, omitting 26 castes from the earlier list of 138 recognised under undivided Andhra Pradesh. Critics argue that the decision was politically motivated, allegedly based on the view that these communities were migrants from Andhra who had settled in Telangana over the decades.
Sriram Boddepalli, general secretary of the joint action committee representing the 26 communities, said the omission was done without notice or the opportunity for the affected groups to respond.
He pointed out that the same official who recommended the reduced list later sent a rectification letter to the govt on Sept 25, 2014, suggesting the reinstatement of 13 of the 26 communities. However, this recommendation was ignored.
A subsequent GO No. 16, issued on March 11, 2015, included all 138 castes, but with a rider stating that the 26 castes mentioned had already been omitted via GO No. 3. This led to the cessation of BC certificates for members of these communities in Telangana.
The omission has had far-reaching implications. While many parents from these communities secured education and jobs under the BC quota, their children are now classified under the 'others' or OC category, losing access to reservation benefits.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP R Krishnaiah attributed the exclusion to the emotionally charged environment during the bifurcation of the state and urged a resolution. "These communities have lived in Telangana for decades, and many even before independence.
The issue must be settled fairly," he said.
Meanwhile, the Congress govt has passed two bills in the assembly seeking to raise BC reservation to 42% across education, employment, and local bodies. The bills are pending central approval, but notably, none of the 26 omitted castes feature in the current BC or OC categories.
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