Latest news with #Ponnam
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Ponnam bristles at BJP, BRS for bid to stonewall BC ordinance
Hyderabad:Countering BJP MP Laxman over an ordinance for implementing 42 BC reservation in local body polls, BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that the state government has the power to bring an ordinance when the Assembly is not in session. The ordinance has nothing to do with the bill with the President. He said that the BJP was trying to do politics over the ordinance. Speaking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan, Ponnam suggested that all BC leaders in BRS and BJP should increase pressure on their high command regarding the implementation of BC reservations. He felt that BJP leaders were shedding crocodile tears over BC reservations and that Laxman was speaking out on the issue to influence the Governor. The Minister lashed out at the BJP and BRS for conspiring to put a damper on the momentum of the ordinance for implementing 42 percent reservations for BCs in local body elections. He urged the BRS and BJP parties to avoid negativity in the historic context of implementing reservations for BCs, as the government was going ahead by keeping in mind all legal aspects as per the court orders. Ponnam said that if Laxman's words carry weight within the party, he should press with the demand that the BC Reservation Bill to be cleared with the President. Ponnam accused the BJP of conspiring to block reservations citing 'Manuvada' tradition. In the past, reservations were brought in the name of the Mandal Committee, and the BJP opposed reservations in the name of Kamandal. He felt that Laxman was furious that the BJP had appointed a new president with a feudal mentality, while there was a discussion about BCs across the state.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana cabinet nod for 42% BC quota in local bodies, ordinance soon
HYDERABAD: In a major step towards social justice and political empowerment, the state cabinet, chaired by chief minister A Revanth Reddy, Thursday approved a proposal to extend 42% reservation to Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies. The quota will be enforced through an ordinance, paving the way for holding panchayat elections with enhanced BC representation. In another key decision, the govt will soon issue a notification for 17,084 additional govt jobs, supplementing the 60,000 posts already sanctioned. The reservation percentage is based on empirical data from the caste survey conducted by the Congress govt and the report submitted by the dedicated BC commission, headed by Busani Venkateshwara Rao. The move aligns with the Supreme Court's directives, and the cabinet approved amendments to relevant provisions of the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, to enable the implementation of the quota. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad With governor Jishnu Dev Varma proroguing both the legislative assembly and the council on Thursday, the state govt now has the constitutional window to issue the ordinance, which cannot be done while the legislature is in session. The last session, which began on March 12, was officially prorogued on July 10. The cabinet made the ordinance decision after consulting legal experts and the state's advocate general, who was also present during the meeting. Briefing the media, revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the ordinance was essential to avoid delays and legal complications. 'Commitment to BCs reflects in ordinance' The proposal to extend 42% reservation to Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies, approved at the cabinet meeting, will be enforced via an ordinance, "As per Rahul Gandhi's promise, the Congress conducted a caste survey after coming to power. Two bills providing 42% reservation for BCs in education, employment, and local bodies were passed in the assembly and sent to the governor. But the Centre has been raising queries, stalling constitutional amendments needed for quota implementation. This ordinance reflects our firm commitment to BC political upliftment," Srinivas Reddy said. Ponnam said the high court had, on June 25, directed the govt to complete the reservation process within a month and conduct elections by Sept 30. "We stand by our BC declaration made in Kamareddy. We urge all parties to support this reservation for smooth conduct of panchayat elections," he said. Responding to concerns over the Supreme Court's 50% cap on total reservations, Ponnam argued that the cap has already been breached with the Centre's EWS quota, while Tamil Nadu has over 60% reservations. He emphasised that BCs constitute 56% of Telangana's population, justifying the 42% reservation. To finalise BC reservations in local bodies, the govt will treat gram panchayats, sarpanchs, and MPTCs as mandal units, MPPs and ZPTCs as district units, and ZP chairpersons as the state unit.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ahead of civic polls, Telangana cabinet clears 42% quota
HYDERABAD: A cabinet meeting of the A Revanth Reddy-led Congress govt in Telangana approved Thursday a proposal to grant 42% reservation to Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies - just in time for panchayat elections within three months, as mandated by a June 25 high court directive. The quota will be implemented through an ordinance. The reservation percentage is based on empirical data from the caste survey conducted by the state govt and submitted to the BC Commission headed by Busani Venkateshwara Rao. Based on Supreme Court's verdict permitting sub-classification of groups entitled to reservation, the cabinet had approved amendments to the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, as precursor to raising the quota for Backwards Classes. With governor Jishnu Dev Varma proroguing the assembly and legislative council sessions on Thursday, the state govt now has the constitutional window to issue the relevant ordinance. The cabinet made the decision after consulting legal experts and the advocate general, who was present at the meeting, sources said. Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy & BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar said an ordinance was key to avoid delays & legal complications. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giá vàng đang tăng mạnh trong năm 2025 — Các nhà giao dịch thông minh đã tham gia IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "Per Rahul Gandhi's promise, Congress conducted a caste survey after coming to power. Two bills providing 42% reservation for BCs in education, employment, and local bodies were passed in the assembly and sent to the governor. But the Centre has been raising queries, stalling constitutional amendments needed for quota implementation. This ordinance reflects our firm commitment to BC political upliftment," Srinivas Reddy said. Ponnam said panchayat elections would be held by Sept 30, the deadline set by HC. "We stand by our BC declaration made in Kamareddy. We urge all parties to support this reservation for the smooth conduct of panchayat elections," he said. On concerns over SC's 50% cap on total reservations, Ponnam argued that it had already been breached through the Centre's EWS quota, while Tamil Nadu currently has over 60% reservation. He said BCs constitute 56% of Telangana's population, which justifies 42% reservation for them.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ponnam Prabhakar hits out at BJP for neglecting Telangana
HYDERABAD: Telangana BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Sunday criticised the BJP's newly appointed state president, N Ramchander Rao, for levelling allegations against the Congress govt. H e reminded Rao that the Narendra Modi-led central govt had, in its final years, made grand promises, incited division, and spread misinformation, without fulfilling key commitments such as providing 10 crore jobs, depositing 15 lakh into the accounts of the poor, and doubling farmers' incomes."The BJP govt at the Centre has deceived farmers, youth, women, the poor, and the SC, ST, BC, and minority communities. If we were to list your govt's failures, it would be as voluminous as the Ramayana and as lengthy as the Mahabharata ," Ponnam said. He further recalled that during the 2019 general elections, the BJP had promised monthly pensions for small and marginal farmers aged over 60, and a hike in the 6,000 Kisan Samman Nidhi as annual crop investment assistance. "Were these promises kept?" he asked. Ponnam accused the Centre of neglecting Telangana, questioning what the Modi govt had delivered to the state. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Why sudden love for BCs?', Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar asks MLC K Kavitha, slams BRS silence on welfare; urges PM Modi to act on 42% quota
HYDERABAD: Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday questioned why BRS MLC K Kavitha remained silent on BC welfare issues during the previous BRS govt tenure and is now showing so much love towards the BC communities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Kavitha has no moral right to speak about BCs. Did she ever raise her voice for the weaker sections in the past 10 years," Ponnam asked. "We have great respect for BC leader and BJP Rajya Sabha MP R Krishnaiah, but he should seek an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress leaders are ready to accompany him to convince Modi to amend the Constitution for enhanced reservations for BCs," Minister Ponnam said, referring to Kavitha's meeting with R Krishnaiah. "The Congress govt not only passed two Bills in the Assembly providing 42% reservations for BCs in education and employment, and local bodies but also sent them to the governor. Now, the ball is in the Modi govt's court," Ponnam said. He also condemned attempts to politicise the BC Bill and extended an invitation to all parties, including former chief minister and BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao and his allies, to join hands with Congress to uplift BC communities. He added that, in line with Rahul Gandhi's vision, the Congress govt in Telangana is firm on the welfare of BCs on all fronts.
