Telangana to complete caste census by November, CM Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has said that the state government's social, economic and caste survey which would begin on November 6 should be expedited by the end of the month and officials should prepare for future challenges.

Revanth Reddy participated in the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) meeting held at Gandhi Bhavan here on Wednesday. The TPCC leaders deliberated on a comprehensive socio-educational, economic, employment, political and caste survey taken up by the state government.

The TPCC took note of the Centre’s decision to take up the decennial census in 2025. It also resolved to demand the Centre to take up the OBC caste census as part of the upcoming decennial census. Orders to this effect should be issued by the Govt of India immediately, the TPCC leaders said during the meeting.

Addressing the gathering, Revanth Reddy said that Rahul Gandhi had promised that a social, economic and political caste census would be done before the formation of the Indiramma government in Telangana. Sonia Gandhi also promised to take up the caste census at the Tukkuguda meeting held on September 17, 2023.

“No matter how many ups and downs and obstacles came in politics, Sonia Gandhi was successful in fulfilling her promise to the people. Telangana state was formed, and her promise was fulfilled. If the Gandhi family gives a promise, it will be fulfilled despite facing several hurdles. It is the responsibility of everyone here to keep Rahul Gandhi's promise,” Revanth Reddy said.

He further said that Revanth Reddy does not have any special recognition, the Congress party has given recognition to him. “There is no scope for further discussion if the Gandhi family has given their word. They are traitors to the party if they give them a chance to debate. We went to the people with the party agenda. Our government's policy is to implement party policy. That’s why we have appointed Niranjan, who is associated with the ideology of the Congress party, as the chairperson of the BC Commission,” the chief minister said.

Revanth Reddy also said that even though it is the responsibility of officials to expedite the work, the Congress cadre and leaders also have the similar responsibility of coordinating every moment with them. Suggestions would be given to the officials to appoint 33 observers for 33 districts to coordinate caste enumeration. The party would not forgive anyone who acts offensively in order to implement the promise given by Rahul Gandhi.

“ A model document of our caste census approach will be sent to the Centre, urging them to consider it in future national censuses. The Telangana model will pave the way for Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister,” he said, and added that the caste census is not just an X-ray but a comprehensive health check-up for society.

Taking a jibe at the Opposition, Revanth Reddy said that no matter how many obstacles the opposition had created, the Congress government completed the DSC and provided the job appointment letters. Despite creating obstacles to political survival, the state government had provided 50,000 job appointment documents in 10 months, he said.

Referring to Group-I, the chief minister said that regarding Group-I, the opposition tried to create various misconceptions and prevent it. None of the aspirants approached the court, either during the issuance of a GO, notification or after announcement of prelims results. But during the conduct of the Mains exam, a section of aspirants approached the court on G0 29 and tried to prevent the conduct of the exam, he said, and added that even the Supreme Court also dismissed their petition.

Revanth Reddy also said that a section of people argued that Group-I is for upper castes, disregarding marginalised communities. Of the 31,383 selected candidates, only less than 10 percent were from upper castes, while 57.11 percent were BCs, 15.38 percent SCs, 8.87 percent STs, and 8.84 percent under the EWS quota. Only 20 candidates were selected under the sports quota, he added.

Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu said that the socio-economic survey would be very useful to help economically backward people. “Our government will implement the caste census as per Rahul Gandhi's promise. We have organised this meeting to discuss what can be done for the backward communities with the caste census. We will hold meetings with DCC presidents in all districts. At the state level, we will arrange a meeting for parties. Rahul Gandhi is likely to come to Hyderabad on November 5 and a similar meeting will be organised. The opposition parties are conspiring to prevent the discussion on the caste census being done by the Congress government,” he said.