KTR wants statutory status for caste census in Telangana

HYDERABAD: BRS working president and MLA K Taraka Rama Rao has announced his party's support for conducting a caste census in Telangana, emphasising its commitment to the empowerment of weaker sections.

During the discussion on the resolution on the caste census introduced by BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar in the Assembly on Friday, KTR welcomed the initiative but stressed that a mere resolution was insufficient. He asserted that the caste census needed statutory status and called upon the State Government to enact a piece of legislation for this purpose. KTR proposed extending the Assembly session by two more days if necessary to facilitate the required legislative process.

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KTR insisted that the Congress Government must fulfill all promises made in the BC Declaration made during elections to ensure the success of the caste census.

KTR also mentioned that it was the BRS that took the initiative of appealing to the Union Government to establish a ministry dedicated to the welfare of the BCs. He said former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, during his tenure as a minister in the Union Cabinet during the UPA-1 Government, led a delegation consisting of BC welfare association president and present MP R Krishnaiah to Delhi for a meeting with then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. During the discussion that lasted for about one-and-a-half hours, KCR had tried to convince the Prime Minister to form a separate Ministry for OBC welfare at the Centre.

KTR said during the BRS's rule in Telangana, two resolutions were passed in the Assembly, urging the Centre to establish an OBC welfare ministry. He expressed optimism that the BCs would receive at least Rs. 2 lakh crore if the proposed OBC Ministry got established at the Centre.