The Telangana government has been put on notice for implementing the 12 per cent reservation for Scheduled Tribes and minorities before June 29 to enable students of those communities to avail the benefit before Eamcet counselling commenced.
Opposition leader in the Legislative Council, D. Srinivas, sought to know if the TRS had any road map for implementing its promises made in its manifesto.
He was speaking after Mr. Paturi Sudhakar Reddy, TRS MLC, moved a motion to thank the Governor for his address.
“Let the Ministers speak on the vital issue. If clarity on promised reservation for minorities and STs is not given, the students will not get any benefit this year,” Mr. Srinias argued.
Congress member Shabbir Ali said the reservation notification should be sent to the Eamcet convener before June 29 and said he was also writing to the Chief Minister.
Responding to the issue, Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy explained that the Governor’s address only gave a policy directive and the government would give a detailed explanation on the implementation of schemes for various groups.
He said the government would consult the Centre on removing the 50 per cent cap on reservations as it did in the case of Tamil Nadu.
Independent member K. Nageshwar said the government should be prepared to face legal and constitutional hurdles going by the Supreme Court’s judgements.
He said that instead of extending reservation on the basis of religion, it should be given to the Backward Classes among minorities.
MIM member Syed Amin Jaffrey advised the government to proceed cautiously on Muslim reservation and carry out a survey to determine the educational backwardness of Muslims in all districts.
