Like statehood, I will get Muslim quota, says K Chandrasekhar Rao

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday expressed co-nfidence that he would secure 12 per cent quota for Muslims in education and employment in the same manner in which he had achieved statehood for Telangana.

He said, “When I started the statehood movement in 2001, everyone used to say it was impossible. But they were proved wrong. In the same way, doubts are being raised that it is not possible to secure 12 per cent quota for Muslims against the directions of Supreme Court’s cap of 50 per cent. I  am confident that this too will be achieved soon.”

He said that since Tamil Nadu was allowed to implement quotas above the SC limit of 50 per cent, TS too would get the relaxation with the cooperation of the Centre.

Speaking in the Assembly, Mr Rao said he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on two or three occasions after the TS Legislature passed the Reservation Bill last year enhancing quota for Muslims and STs and briefed him about the need for Centre to approve the law based on the social and economic backwardness of the community.

“The PM responded positively and promised to consider it favourably at an appropriate time. I have full faith in him,” Mr Rao said

The Chief Minister said he had requested Mr Modi to leave the decision on reservations in states to the respective governments and that the Centre should not intervene in this.

"Each state has different composition of religions and castes and their own social and economic problems. There should be flexibility for states to take a decision on reservations in jobs and education provided by state governments. The PM has responded positively and assured to take steps in this direction. But due to consecutive elections in various states since then, it got delayed," Mr Rao added.

Mr Rao said he had requested Mr Modi to approve the TS Reservations Act and include it in the IX Schedule of the Constitution to provide legal cover along the lines of Tamil Nadu.

KCR opens the gift bag for minorities
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced a series of sops for the minorities in the state, in the assembly on Thursday.

• Reservations for Muslims, Christians and linguistic minorities in all welfare schemes and programmes. Quotas for each category will be decided, Muslims are expected to get 4 per cent.
• Urdu would be treated as the official second language of the state. Competitive and recruitment exams would be held in Urdu along with English and Telugu.
• 66 Urdu officers would be appointed in all important institutions starting with the Council and Assembly, offices of the Chief Minister, Cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary, Director-General of Police, and district collectorates.
• Financial assistance for pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Christians and monthly salary for pastors/ reverends.
• Study circles, skill development centres, women empowerment centres for minorities in district headquarters.
• Extension of subsidised loans up to Rs 2.50 lakh without any bank linkage for self employment schemes.
• Upper income ceiling to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 2 lakh for students to avail the Rs 20 lakh scholarship to pursue studies abroad which will be applicable to minorities, SCs, STs and BCs.
• Fee reimbursement and scholarship arrears of minorities to be cleared.
• Government spent over Rs 800 crore for the welfare of minorities this fiscal.
• TS ready to spend Rs 2,800 per student per year in minority residential hostels.