KCR fulfills promise; Telangana govt issues GO on 10 pc ST quota

HYDERABAD: In swift fulfillment of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's recent promise, the Telangana Government has issued an order increasing the reservations for the Scheduled Tribes (STs) from the existing six percent to 10 percent. Tribal Welfare Department Secretary Dr Christina Chongthu issued the order (GO no. 33) which stated that the enhanced reservations for STs in admission to educational institutions and employment under state services would be implemented with immediate effect.

The news was welcomed and rejoiced by members and leaders belonging to the tribes in the state even as Telangana Minister for Tribal, Women and Child Welfare Satyavathi Rathod conveyed her gratitude to the Chief Minister for fulfilling his promise within a span of two weeks. Hailing KCR as a leader most loved by tribals, she thanked him for honouring his commitment.

KCR made the grand announcement on the 10 percent reservations for the STs on September 17 while addressing a gathering of tribes at the NTR Grounds here to mark the National Integration Day celebrations. While announcing that a GO to this effect would be issued in a week's time, he launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led NDA government for its failure to address the ST quota issue.

"Mr Modi, whether you save your face by implementing this GO on ST reservations or make this into a noose around your neck, choice is yours," he thundered on that occasion. KCR also castigated the Modi government for letting the issue to hang fire for well over seven years even after the Telangana Government forwarded an Assembly resolution, deciding to hike the ST reservations from 6 to 10 percent.

In the GO issued late on Friday night, the Telangana Government cited the 69 percent reservations being implemented in Tamil Nadu for the last 28 years as the benchmark for its decision. With this, the total percent of reservations in Telangana goes up to 70 percent. The KCR government, on March 19, 2021, brought the 10 percent reservations for the economically weaker sections (EWS) under implementation with GO no. 65 to benefit the poorer classes among the upper castes. The total percentage of reservations then shot up to 66. Now, with the ST quota being hiked from 6 percent to 10, it has soared to 70 percent.

Satyavati Rathod, ST leaders welcome decision

A large number of leaders and members of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) converged on the Ministers Quarters in Banjara Hills on Friday night and met Minister Satyavathi Rathod to share their joy at the KCR government's decision. Visibly elated, they distributed sweets and burst crackers before thanking the minister for her contribution in realising this dream.

Speaking on this occasion, Satyavathi Rathod paid obeisance to the Chief minister for fulfilling his promise. She described KCR as a leader most adored by the STs. The minister said that all the STs in the state would be indebted forever to KCR for his monumental decision.