Quota in local bodies: Telangana plans to move Supreme Court

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday announced that the state government would appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the interim orders of the High Court stipulating reservations at 50 per cent in the Panchayat Raj elections. The Chief Minister said that “The state government will appeal to the Supreme Court that the earlier permission of the apex court to implement 61 per cent reservation in Telangana, including 34 per cent reservation for the backward classes, be reinstated.”

The CM has convened the cabinet subcommittee to meet on Wednesday for firming up the further plan of action and discussing the modalities of filing a petition in the Supreme Court.  The Chief Minister suggested that the additional Advocate General, as well as all officers concerned, be invited to the cabinet sub-committee meeting to discuss thoroughly the pros and cons of the issue and finalise the strategy to present the argument in court, highlighting the necessity of implementing 61 per cent reservation in Telangana Panchayat Raj Institutions.

The Chief Minister criticised the Congress, stating that the opposition party filed its petition through its sarpanch, Ms Swapna Reddy, opposing 34 per cent reservation for backward classes and thus obstructing reservation for them. Mr Rao said that “The state government is fully committed to providing 34 per cent reservation for Backward Classes and the necessary legal battle will be fought to achieve this.”

Kapilavai Dilipkumar, an ex-MLC, said “It is nothing but KCR’s political gimmick. Tamil Nadu has been implementing reservations over 50 per cent under Schedule 9 through an amendment of the Constitution. It is not applicable for other states and not for Telangana. Hence, no Schedule 9 in Telangana and the matter is sub judice. We can’t interpret it.”  The decisions of Mr Rao on new districts and the new zonal system have also created ripples across the state. Legal validity of the new districts is still being questioned.  “The present zonal system is ok as the President can notify it any time but reservations above 50 per cent may not be possible as far as my knowledge goes.” adds Mr Dilipkumar.