Hyderabad, Feb 3 (PTI) – The Telangana Assembly is set to convene on Tuesday, February 4, to discuss the findings of the state’s caste survey, marking a crucial step in shaping future policies. Ahead of the assembly session, the state cabinet will hold a meeting in the morning to deliberate on the survey report before presenting it for debate, official sources confirmed on Monday.
The state planning department, responsible for conducting the extensive survey, submitted its report to the cabinet sub-committee led by Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday. The comprehensive survey sheds light on the socio-economic composition of the state, providing crucial data for welfare policies.
Key Findings of the Caste Survey
The survey results reveal that Backward Classes (BCs), excluding Muslim minorities, form the largest demographic group, constituting 46.25% of Telangana’s total population of 3.70 crore. The breakdown of other social groups is as follows:- Scheduled Castes (SCs): 17.43% (61,84,319 individuals)
- Scheduled Tribes (STs): 10.45% (37,05,929 individuals)
- Backward Classes among Muslims: 10.08% (35,76,588 individuals)
- Other Castes (OCs): 13.31%
- Muslim OCs: 2.48% (8,80,424 individuals)
- Total Muslim Population: 12.56%
Political Reactions and Implications
The caste survey was a key election promise of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and the Congress-led state government carried it out over a span of 50 days, starting from November 6, 2024. According to State BC Commission Chairman G Niranjan, the data will play a vital role in determining reservations, particularly in local body elections. It will also assist in classifying BC sub-groups (A, B, C, and D) for reservation benefits.BRS MLC K Kavitha has demanded that the government implement 56.3% reservations for BCs, including backward Muslim communities, based on the survey results. “The government has declared that BCs make up 46.3%, and Muslim OBCs account for 10.2%, totaling 56.3%. We urge the Congress government to ensure reservations for this segment before the local body elections,” she stated.
However, Kavitha expressed skepticism over the accuracy of the survey, suggesting that the Congress government’s figures may not be entirely reliable.
Government's Response
State Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reassured that the omission of 3.1% of the populationdue to migration or refusal to participate would not significantly impact the survey’s credibility. He also criticized the previous BRS government for lacking transparency in similar exercises.“This survey has no hidden agenda, and unlike in the past, there will be complete transparency in our approach,” Prabhakar stated, emphasizing the government’s openness to suggestions from all stakeholders.
As the Assembly prepares to discuss the survey findings, the government is expected to outline its future course of action, potentially influencing policies on reservations and welfare schemes for Telangana’s diverse communities.
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