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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana races to hold panchayat polls amid Rs 3k cr grant risk
Hyderabad: The Telangana govt is in a tight race to complete panchayat elections before the high court's Sept 30 deadline. Missing it could cost the state nearly ₹3,000 crore in Central Finance Commission grants meant for local bodies this financial year. The Centre has already withheld ₹1,550 crore in grants to rural local bodies for 2024-25, with another ₹1,450 crore for the current year yet to be released. As per rules, these grants are issued only when elected gram panchayat bodies are in place. The term of the last elected panchayat bodies expired in Jan 2024. Even if polls are completed, releasing the pending ₹1,550 crore from last year will be at the Centre's discretion. However, panchayat raj officials remain hopeful, pointing to past instances where the Centre cleared withheld funds once polls were held. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad A senior official said, "The state govt will write to the Centre explaining that the delay in holding rural local body elections is due to the caste survey to fix 42% reservations, as well as two BC quota bills and an ordinance still pending with the President of India." The 42% BC quota issue lies at the heart of the delay. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The World's Top15 Best Hotel Pools Learn More Undo BJP MP and National BC Welfare Association president R Krishnaiah warned that BCs would not tolerate further postponement. He urged the Congress govt to immediately issue a GO extending the quota, noting that Article 243D(6) of the Constitution gives states the power to do so. "If anyone challenges it in court, the state can defend its order with caste survey data, a dedicated BC commission, and empirical evidence gathered through a scientific survey. It can also pass a cabinet resolution to remove the 50% reservation cap under the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, and send it to the governor again," Krishnaiah said. Political, legal options Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud told TOI that the party's political affairs committee, which includes CM A Revanth Reddy, AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, ministers, and senior leaders, will soon decide the way forward. "There are two or three options. We can go ahead with elections after issuing a GO, extend the quota from the party side, or move court to explain the govt's efforts. All possibilities of giving a 42% quota to BCs will be discussed," Mahesh Goud said. Sources said the govt could also approach the court seeking more time, arguing that the delay was due to quota-related legal and legislative steps, including the bills and the ordinance awaiting Presidential assent. BC groups stand firm Meanwhile, BC welfare associations insist that panchayat polls must be conducted only after the quota is legally extended. They argue that rushing polls without securing the 42% quota would betray the community's interests. Political analysts said the Congress govt must balance legal hurdles, political pressures, and the risk of losing ₹3,000 crore in central funds, while keeping BC groups in good humour. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Panchayat polls delay may cost T Rs 3k cr central grants
Hyderabad: The Telangana govt is in a tight spot to conduct panchayat elections before the high court's Sept 30 deadline. Missing it could cost the state nearly Rs 3,000 crore in Central Finance Commission grants meant for local bodies this financial year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Centre has already withheld Rs 1,550 crore in grants to rural local bodies for 2024-25, with another Rs 1,450 crore for the current year yet to be released. As per rules, these grants are released only when elected gram panchayat bodies are in place. The term of the last elected panchayat bodies expired in Jan 2024. Even if polls are completed, releasing the pending Rs 1,550 crore from last year will be at the Centre's discretion. However, panchayat raj officials remain hopeful, pointing to past instances where the Centre cleared withheld funds once polls were conducted. A senior official said, "The state govt will write to the Centre explaining that the delay in holding rural local body elections is due to the caste survey to fix 42% reservations, as well as two BC quota bills and an ordinance still pending with the President of India." The 42% BC quota issue lies at the heart of the delay. BJP MP and National BC Welfare Association president R Krishnaiah warned that BCs would not tolerate further postponement. He urged the Congress govt to immediately issue a GO extending the quota, noting that Article 243D(6) of the Constitution gives states the power to do so. "If anyone challenges it in court, the state can defend its order with caste survey data, a dedicated BC commission, and empirical evidence gathered through a scientific survey. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It can also pass a cabinet resolution to remove the 50% reservation cap under the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, and send it to the governor again," Krishnaiah said. Political, legal options TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud told TOI that the party's political affairs committee, which includes CM A Revanth Reddy, AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, ministers, and senior leaders, will soon decide the future course of action. "There are two or three options. We can go ahead with elections after issuing a GO, extend the quota from the party side, or move court to explain the govt's efforts. All possibilities of giving a 42% quota to BCs will be explored," Mahesh Goud said. Sources said the govt could also approach the court seeking more time, arguing that the delay was due to quota-related legal and legislative steps, including the bills and the ordinance awaiting Presidential assent. BC groups stand firm Meanwhile, BC welfare associations insist that panchayat polls must be conducted only after the quota is legally extended. They argue that rushing polls without securing the 42% quota would betray the community's interests. Political analysts said the Congress govt must balance legal hurdles, political pressures, and the risk of losing Rs 3,000 crore in central funds, while keeping BC groups in good humour.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Krishnaiah slams Congress on BC quota
Hyderabad: Rajya Sabha member R Krishnaiah on Friday slammed the Congress govt over 42% BC reservations in the state. Addressing the media, he said that the authority to implement reservation lies with the state and accused Congress of lacking genuine intent in ensuring reservation for BCs. He alleged that the Congress govt was shifting the blame onto the Centre to cover up its inability. " BJP is not opposed to BC reservation, but only to those based on religion," he said, condemning the Congress for repeatedly spreading false propaganda on the issue. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He announced a protest at Indira Park in Hyderabad on Saturday to oppose the Congress govt's negligence on the issue.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Legally protect Telangana govt ordinance on 42% quota, says BC netas to CM Revanth Reddy
HYDERABAD: The state govt is likely to file caveats in the Telangana high court and Supreme Court to protect the proposed ordinance extending 42% reservations to BCs in local bodies after taking legal experts' opinion. Leaders of various BC welfare associations on Friday met chief minister A Revanth Reddy and urged to take all legal precautions to protect the ordinance. The delegation led by National BC Welfare Association president R Krishnaiah, who is also a BJP MP (Rajya Sabha), thanked the CM for what they termed a historic decision and a major step towards political empowerment of the BCs. R Krishnaiah told TOI: "The CM responded positively and asked all the BC leaders also to be alert. He assured us that the govt is committed to BC welfare and 42% quota, and it will fight on all fronts if the situation arises. " While welcoming the state cabinet's decision, various BC association leaders also sought to warn that the entire community will launch an agitation and see the end of the political career of any individual or party if they went to court against 42% reservations to the BCs. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad "We will have no option but to come onto the roads against the 10% EWS reservations and demand its withdrawal if anyone from the upper caste is found to be behind filing a case against the BC quota," warned BC leader Jajula Srinivas Goud during a media conference on Friday. He said the only permanent solution was for the central govt to amend the Constitution and include BC reservations enhancement in the IX Schedule. "The central govt has disappointed the BCs as it sat on the BC Bills sent by the govt for almost three months. With no other option, the Congress govt decided to come out with an ordinance. Our appeal to all the political parties is to support the 42% quota to BCs. Anyone opposing the BC quota will be branded as anti-BC," he said.
Hans India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Article 243-D authorises state govt to provide 42 pc BC quota: BJP MP Krishnaiah
Hyderabad: BJP Rajya Sabha Member R Krishnaiah stated that the Telangana High Court recently ruled that local body elections must be held by September 30. The BJP welcomes this verdict. However, 'we demand that the state government immediately conduct local body elections with 42 percent reservations for backward classes (BC), as promised by the Congress party following this ruling.' Addressing the media on Thursday, Krishnaiah said that BJP state president G Kishan Reddy has already expressed his support for BC reservations, a stance that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made clear. The power to grant BC reservations and to conduct local body elections lies with the state government. According to Article 243D of the Constitution, 'this authority belongs to the state. The government must exercise this power and implement BC reservations.' The Congress party promised 42 percent BC reservations in the Kamareddy BC declaration and reiterated this commitment in its manifesto. Elections must be held in line with this promise, he demanded. Some argue that the Supreme Court or the High Court will place a stay on this issue citing a '50 percent ceiling.' This is misleading and amounts to propaganda. He recalled that the Supreme Court has previously indicated that reservations could be extended up to 60 percent through the EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) reservation. In earlier cases, the Supreme Court has commented that the 50 percent ceiling is not constitutionally mandated and can be exceeded if necessary. The state government has established a dedicated commission, following the Supreme Court's guidelines, which has completed the BC population census. According to these findings, 'BCs constitute more than 42 percent of the population in the state.' A law was also passed in the assembly supporting the 42 percent reservation for BCs. There are no constitutional or legal barriers preventing this. 'Article 243D grants the state government full authority in this matter. The Supreme Court's judgments and the Constitution do not impede the implementation of these reservations.' The state government has enacted a law in the assembly, conducted a population census, and received a report from the dedicated commission. Therefore, there should be no obstacles to holding elections with 42 percent reservation. The BJP is demanding the immediate implementation of the High Court's verdict, and that elections be held with a 42 percent reservation for the BCs as promised by the state government. All BC associations, political parties, and various state governments are openly calling for local body elections to be held immediately, and there are no legal, constitutional, or procedural barriers for the state government in this issue. All parties supported the state government when it introduced the bill in the assembly concerning BC reservations. There is no need to place the blame for BC reservations on the central government. It has been made clear that it will not obstruct this matter. The responsibility for formulating and implementing laws regarding reservations rests with the state government, which holds strong constitutional authority under Article 243-D. The MP said that justice for the BCs can only be achieved if the state government immediately issues a government order (GO) on BC reservations and proceeds with elections featuring 42 percent reservations. The government must act urgently in this direction. Krishnaiah mentioned that the delay in fee reimbursement from the State government is causing colleges to struggle with paying their lecturers' salaries. As a result, college management has been withholding original certificates and pressuring students to pay their fees. He urged the government to take the initiative to release the fee reimbursement arrears in two or three phases.
