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Key Points

The Supreme Court has refused to hear a petition challenging Telangana's 42% reservation for Backward Classes in rural local bodies. The court dismissed the plea because the matter is already pending before the Telangana High Court. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka welcomed the decision and reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing the reservation. The state government conducted a comprehensive caste survey and followed Supreme Court guidelines before issuing the reservation order for upcoming local body elections.

Key Points: Supreme Court Refuses Plea Against Telangana BC Reservations

  • Supreme Court refused petition citing matter pending in Telangana High Court
  • State government conducted caste survey before issuing reservation order
  • Deputy CM confirmed commitment to 42% BC quota in local bodies
  • Local body elections scheduled in five phases during October-November
3 min read

Backward Class reservations: SC refuses to admit plea challenging Telangana govt order

Supreme Court dismisses petition challenging 42% BC quota in Telangana local bodies, citing pending high court matter. State government welcomes the decision.

"We stand by it and we will fight for it - Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka"

New Delhi, Oct 6

The Supreme Court, on Monday, refused to admit a writ petition challenging the Telangana government order providing 42 per cent reservation to the Backward Classes (BCs) in rural bodies in the state.

A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta refused to take up for hearing the petition on the ground that matter is currently pending in the Telangana High Court and dismissed the petition filed by Vanga Gopal Reddy.

Senior lawyers Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Siddharth Dave and A.D.N. Rao, who appeared on behalf of the state government, brought to the notice of the bench that two petitions were already pending in the High Court.

The bench asked the petitioner why he filed the petition under Article 32.

When the petitioner submitted that the High Court has not given the stay, the bench asked how can he approach the Supreme Court when the High Court has refused to give the stay.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who along with Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Vakiti Srihari was present in the Supreme Court during the hearing, welcomed the apex court's order.

The Deputy Chief Minister told media persons outside the Supreme Court that the state government is committed to provide 42 per cent reservation to BCs in education, employment and local bodies.

He said that the state government would implement the BC reservation in local body elections.

"Now that the local body elections are being held, the state government passed a Bill and also issued a government order (GO). We stand by it and we will fight for it," he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister and state Ministers earlier held talks with Manu Singhvi, who is also the Rajya Sabha member from Telangana, and Dave.

Government lawyer Shravan Kumar and Congress BC Cell Chairman Anil Jaihind were also present.

The Deputy Chief Minister and Ministers told the lawyers that the state government issued the GO for 42 per cent reservations for BCs in local bodies by duly following the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court.

They also told the lawyers that the GO was issued after conducting the caste survey, obtaining the empirical data of the BCs, appointment of a dedicated BC Commission and expert group's analysis of the caste survey report.

The State Election Commission last week announced the scheduled for elections to rural local bodies.

The elections will be held in five phases in October-November this year.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone from Telangana, I'm happy to see our government standing firm on BC reservations. They conducted proper caste surveys and followed due process. This will ensure better representation in rural local bodies. Jai Telangana! 🌟
M
Michael C
While I support reservations for marginalized communities, I hope the 42% figure is based on solid demographic data and doesn't exceed the Supreme Court's 50% cap. The government should ensure transparency in how they arrived at this percentage.
S
Shreya B
Finally some justice for BC communities! For too long, rural local bodies have been dominated by forward castes. This 42% reservation will bring much-needed diversity and representation. Hope other states follow Telangana's example. 🙏
A
Aman W
The technical grounds for dismissal make sense - why approach SC when HC is already hearing it? But I'm concerned about the timing, just before elections. Hope this isn't just political tokenism but genuine empowerment.
N
Nisha Z
As a BC community member, I welcome this decision. Our youth have been waiting for opportunities in local governance. The government seems to have done proper homework with caste surveys and commission reports. Let's hope for effective implementation! 💪

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