Telangana Cabinet clears 42% BC Quota, nominates Kodandaram, Azharuddin to Council

Hyderabad: The Telangana Cabinet on Saturday approved 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs), lifted the 50 percent cap on quotas, and cleared key nominations to the Legislative Council under the Governor’s quota.

The decisions signal both electoral strategy and governance priorities as polls approach.

42% BC Reservation in Local Body Elections

The Cabinet decided to implement 42 percent BC reservation without delay, effectively lifting the Supreme Court’s 50 percent ceiling.

BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the earlier Bill and ordinance, pending with the President for four months, will be introduced in the Assembly on August 31.

The government is also considering issuing a Government Order (GO) to implement the quota ahead of elections, fulfilling the Congress’s Kamareddy BC Declaration of 2023.

Kodandaram and Azharuddin Nominated to Legislative Council

The Cabinet approved nominations of Professor M Kodandaram and former cricketer and Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin under the Governor’s quota.

Azharuddin, who lost the 2023 Assembly election from Jubilee Hills to the late BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath, will be the sole Muslim Congress representative in the state legislature. His nomination also hints at Congress’s strategy for the upcoming Jubilee Hills bypoll.

The Supreme Court had stayed earlier appointments of Kodandaram and journalist Amer Ali Khan, clarifying that all appointments under the Governor’s quota are subject to ongoing legal proceedings.

Monsoon Damage Assessment and Farmer Support

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas announced that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will hold a statewide review of monsoon-related damage on 1 September at 4 pm.

The assessment will cover roads, crops, property, and railway lines affected by recent heavy rains. Farmers affected by the rains will receive compensation.

The Cabinet also approved the purchase of equipment from the National Hydrology Technology to monitor water inflows and outflows at major irrigation projects.

Cow Welfare Policy

The Cabinet revisited the issue of cow shelters, discussing plans to frame a comprehensive policy for their efficient functioning across the state.