The State Cabinet has decided to extend 5% reservation to Kapus in the State without impacting the existing quota for Backward Classes (BCs).
With this, four communities — Kapu, Ontari, Telaga and Balija — will get reservation in education, government employment and also economic benefits being extended to the BCs.
The government will create another category F in the BC list to extend the reservation to the Kapus. The reservation to BCs will touch 34%, including 5% to Kapus.
The Cabinet on Friday discussed the recommendations of the three-member BC Commission headed by Justice K.L. Manjunath. The Commission members suggested 4% to 5% reservation to Kapus based on their “qualitative and quantitative data.”
The socio-economic conditions, Kapu representation in educational and public employment were taken into consideration while recommending the quota for them.
Special Cabinet meet
A special Cabinet meeting is scheduled to be held on Saturday to discuss the draft Bill on Kapu reservation. The draft Bill will be presented in the Assembly for discussion. It will be then sent to Legislative Council for its assent.
The government will send the Bill passed in the Assembly and Council, to the Union Home Ministry urging it to enact legislation in Parliament and include the same in Schedule IX of the Constitution as the total reservation exceeds the cap of 50% and touches 55%.
The State government is taking a cue from Tamil Nadu where the total reservations are 69%, sources say. The government is hopeful that there would not be any legal complications in the Kapu quota as it had followed due procedures. The quota is being extended based on the recommendations of a Commission.
In the past, the Muslim reservation were implemented by the government (in combined State) on its own without any recommendations of the Commission. Hence, the court struck down the Muslim reservation.
According to the Pulse survey conducted by the State government, there are 50 lakh Kapus, including all sub-sects. Kapus constitute 10% of the total population in the State.
The Commission, however, recommended 4% to 5% reservation.
The other sects such as Chetti Balija, which is also a Kapu community, in Rayalaseema will not be able to enjoy the reservation as the government has referred only Kapu, Balija, Ontari and Telaga castes to the BC Commission, sources say.
